Nevada State University’s School of Nursing Simulation Program has earned full accreditation in Teaching/Education from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, recognizing the program’s commitment to high-quality, simulation-based learning.
Nevada State is the only single-site, fully accredited simulation program dedicated to nursing education in Nevada and joins a select group of programs recognized by SSH for excellence in simulation-based education.
The accreditation follows a multiyear review process that began when the Simulation Lab received provisional accreditation in 2024. The milestone also comes as the lab celebrates its fifth anniversary.
“This accreditation reflects the expertise, dedication and continuous commitment to excellence demonstrated by our Simulation Lab team,” said Nina Marcellus-Duong, MSN, RN, director of Health Sciences Lab and Simulation at Nevada State. “Simulation gives our students a safe and supportive environment to apply what they have learned, strengthen their clinical judgment and prepare for the complex situations they will encounter as nurses. Achieving full accreditation affirms the quality of that experience and challenges us to continue advancing the way we prepare future health care professionals.”
Preparing students through realistic simulation
Nevada State’s Simulation Lab provides nursing students with realistic, hands-on learning experiences using humanlike manikins that can replicate a range of patient conditions, health care needs and clinical scenarios.
The program also incorporates trained actors who portray patients during simulation encounters. These experiences help students strengthen their communication skills, emotional intelligence and cultural humility while learning how to respond to situations they may encounter in clinical settings.
“Achieving full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare reflects the exceptional work of Director Nina Marcellus-Duong and our entire Simulation Lab team, as well as our shared commitment to preparing safe, skilled and compassionate nurses,” said Dr. June Eastridge, MSN, RN, dean of Nevada State University’s School of Nursing. “Combined with our strong NCLEX outcomes, small class sizes, affordability and national recognition, this milestone demonstrates the quality and value of a Nevada State nursing education. Most importantly, it reflects the supportive, hands-on learning environment our faculty and staff create so students can build confidence, strengthen their clinical judgment and graduate ready to serve Nevada’s communities.”
Building on strong student outcomes
Full accreditation is the latest achievement for a School of Nursing that continues to receive recognition for educational quality, student outcomes and value.
Nevada State nursing graduates achieved a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of more than 96% in 2025 and 97% in 2024, among the highest pass rates in the state.
The School of Nursing is also ranked No. 16 nationally on Niche’s 2026 Best Colleges for Nursing in America list. The annual ranking considers academic quality, admissions, affordability and student life using data from the U.S. Department of Education and reviews from students and alumni.
Reviews included in Nevada State’s Niche profile highlighted the quality of instruction and the school’s supportive learning environment, with students describing professors as knowledgeable, approachable and invested in their success.
Nevada State offers one of Nevada’s most affordable Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, providing students with small class sizes and close connections with faculty. Flexible pathways include full-time and part-time prelicensure tracks, a night-shift cohort and a post-licensure RN-to-BSN track. The school also offers a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Nevada State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.