Can AI help as your nursing sim lab assistant?

AI, AI, AI… it seems to be talked about all the time these days.

Is it good? Is it bad? Is it going to take over everyone’s job? Is there a way it can help me do my work faster or better? Since it isn’t going away anytime soon, and its capabilities are improving week to week…maybe now is the perfect time to learn a little more about it.

Most technology trends follow a familiar adoption curve. There are the Innovators, who spark the Early Adopters to give something new a try, followed by the Early Majority, the Late Majority, and finally the Laggards.

When I first started in simulation in 2008, the use of high-fidelity manikins in nursing programs was just gaining traction. The Early Adopters recognized the value of this new educational tool. Today, a high-fidelity manikin is an expected piece of equipment in nearly every sim lab. If you’ve walked the exhibit hall at a simulation conference lately, you’ve probably been amazed at how quickly manikin features continue to advance!

Large language models (the engines behind AI), like simulation manikins, are evolving rapidly with new and expanding features. But unlike the years it took manikins to advance, major improvements in LLMs are measured in weeks or months…not decades.

Think back to when you first learned how to use your favorite manikin. It was usually easiest to start with one brand, learn its features in short spurts, and build confidence through repetition. Baby steps. The more you used it, the more natural it became.

The same thing is true with AI. Baby steps. Start with one LLM. Try using it to support one workflow at a time. Keep practicing. It probably won’t give you the perfect output on the first try, but if you give it feedback and refine your prompt, you’ll be surprised by how helpful it can be.

AI tools work best when used thoughtfully. The following tips will help you get the most out of your AI assistant while staying aligned with your institution’s best practices.

10 Essential Guidelines for Safe and Effective AI Use

Even simple AI tools work best when used thoughtfully. These tips help you get the most out of the guide — while staying aligned with institutional best practices.

1.  Follow Your Institution’s AI Policies

• Review your school or program’s guidelines
• Use AI only in ways your employer permits
• When in doubt, check with your supervisor or IT department

2.  Protect Confidential and Sensitive Information

Never paste or upload:

• Student names or identifying information
• Employee or faculty data
• Any PHI
• Proprietary or confidential documents
• Budget numbers or contracts (unless explicitly allowed)

Tip: Remove serial numbers or confidential labels before sharing inventory lists.

3. Stick to Non-Sensitive, Operational Tasks 

Safe AI tasks in sim labs:

• Organizing supply lists
• Creating inventory categories
• Generating restock reminders
• Reviewing equipment condition
• Supporting workflow planning

Avoid using AI for:

• Student performance evaluation
• Academic integrity decisions
• Grading or disciplinary matters

4. Double-Check AI Output for Accuracy

Before using AI-generated results, always:

• Review for accuracy
• Verify recommendations
• Compare outputs to real data

Remember: AI can “hallucinate” on occasion, so stay in the driver’s seat!

5.  Keep Your Prompts Clear and Simple 

• Give AI one task at a time
• Start with small lists
• Add context (e.g., “This is for a nursing simulation lab”)
• Ask AI to explain how it organized your information

6.  Use AI as a Helper, Not a Decision Maker 

Use AI for sorting, categorizing, and creating templates.

You make the final judgment and validate recommendations.

7. Avoid Uploading Entire Documents Unless Necessary 

If upload restrictions/limitations are in place:

• Paste only relevant sections
• Remove identifying columns
• Use anonymized lists when unsure

 8.  Keep a Master Copy Outside the AI Tool 

AI is not a record-keeping system. Always:

• Maintain your master spreadsheet in your school’s approved platform
• Save AI-organized versions in secure, official storage
• Treat all AI outputs as drafts, not final versions

9. Use AI in a Private, Secure Environment 

• Log out of shared devices
• Avoid unapproved personal devices
• Don’t paste data from confidential systems into public tools

10.  Know When AI Isn’t the Right Tool 

Avoid using AI for:

• Grades or evaluations
• Clinical or academic performance judgments
• Patient data
• Policy or legal interpretation

Check out our blog post on 10 ways to use AI in your sim lab here: Blog Post!

We have a great, quick resource for you to download to enlist AI in your inventory management workflow! Created by nurse educators for nurse educators, this resource reflects our commitment to helping you streamline your work so you can focus on what matters most: your students. 

Grab it here: Your AI Ready Inventory Guide

If this resource is helpful, we’d love to hear from you.