NexGen Health Simulation Day Inspires the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals

This month Year 10 to 12 students from across the South West stepped into the shoes of healthcare professionals during the UDRH SW NexGen Health Simulation Day, gaining valuable insight into the diverse careers available through healthcare study at Edith Cowan University.

Delivered in partnership with ECU Future Students and supported by staff from ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, the immersive experience aimed to help students explore healthcare career pathways, build confidence in their future study choices and experience the collaborative nature of healthcare through hands-on learning.

Throughout the day, students followed a realistic patient scenario centred around concussion management, working through a series of practical activities that showcased the important role of different healthcare professionals.

Students experienced disciplines including paramedicine, nursing, occupational therapy and speech pathology, while also participating in tutorial-style learning focused on nutrition and health promotion.

The simulation highlighted the importance of interprofessional practice, demonstrating how healthcare professionals work together across a range of settings, not only in hospitals and clinics, but also in community, rehabilitation, education and primary healthcare environments.

Students had the opportunity to perform skills they said, they had only previously only seen on TV, including transporting a patient on a stretcher, practising CPR, completing paediatric observation charts and monitoring blood pressure, heart rate and pupil responses in a hospital setting.

Using concussion as the focus of the simulation also provided practical knowledge students could take away, particularly as awareness grows around concussion, traumatic brain injury and the long-term impacts of head injuries in young people participating in sport.

UDRH SW Lecturer Ari Aldus said the authentic learning experience gave students a meaningful insight into healthcare careers.

“Engaging in real health care activities provided participants with a fun glimpse into the life of health care professionals; something they were keen to see run again.”

The experience also helped many students feel more confident about their future study plans.

“Overall a really great event that helped me to cement my ideas about studying to become a nurse. Thanks so much for the opportunity to be involved in this and I hope it continues for further generations!”

The success of the event was made possible through the strong collaboration between UDRH SW, ECU Future Students and staff from ECU South West’s Campus Support, School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Education and School of Medical and Health Sciences, who supported the use of teaching spaces and learning facilities across the campus.

UDRH SW also thanks Red Earth Health Solutions, Kingston First Response, South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), St John of God Bunbury and Link Assistive for generously contributing equipment and resources that helped bring the simulation to life and supported student goodie bags.

By providing authentic experiences and direct connections with university staff and healthcare professionals, the NexGen Health Simulation Day continues to strengthen the South West healthcare pipeline, inspiring local students to pursue rewarding careers that can make a lasting difference in regional communities.

Interested in a rural healthcare career? UDRH SW looks forward to delivering the NexGen Health Simulation Day again in 2027. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for future dates and registrations.