Nursing students at the University of New Brunswick will soon start using advanced virtual reality and simulation technology.

Last week, the provincial government announced $500,000 over three years to put toward the new initiative at the university.

Health Minister John Dornan said the technology will replicate real-world clinical experiences that students will face as RNs.

“This project will allow for powerful immersive learning experiences to meet students’ learning needs and ensure New Brunswick continues to recruit and retain high-quality, qualified nurses for our workforce,” Dornan said in a news release.

The project will include a simulation suite, a medication administration suite and 14 virtual reality stations at UNB’s Fredericton and Moncton campuses.

Officials said they can closely represent clinical settings, enabling students to acquire and refine their skills in a safe environment before applying them to real-life experiences.

“Having a devoted space with the technology to give students clinical experience before they go into clinical placements will be beneficial to our students, patients and the health-care system as a whole,” Paul Mazerolle, the university’s president, said in the release.

The extended reality education model will begin being incorporated into the faculty of nursing’s curriculum in September.