All Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Practical Nursing (PN), and Health Care Assistant (HCA) students are encouraged to complete additional practice time in the health labs and prepare themselves for clinical practice, evaluations, and actual client care experiences.
Each student uses their programmed VIU student ID card to enter the Health Labs outside regular operating hours.
Access is conditional on responsible use of the labs and respect for program policies. Failure to meet these requirements may result in loss of unsupervised access to the health labs.
Registered students may only practice at the campus they are registered at.
Further information regarding health labs and the Learning Resource Nurse is found in the student handbook.
Health lab access
Access to labs is embedded into your student ID Card. Your program assistant will program your card. Ensure your access works at the start of each term.
Unsupervised practice
- Students must leave the lab by 2200h. At their discretion, security may ask students to vacate the lab at any time.
- Equipment and supplies are available to students for unsupervised practice after 1630h.
- Lab access may be periodically restricted due to program requirements.
- The campus is closed for emergencies (i.e., snow closure) and during Christmas break.
Health lab safety
- Only HSHS students may be present in the lab.
- Work in pairs or use a buddy system.
- Ensure all doors are closed while practicing.
- It is recommended that students download the VIU Safety App
Health lab rules
- No Food or Drinks, other than covered water, in the labs.
- Supplies and equipment must be returned to where they belong in a neat and tidy manner. Each student must clean up after themselves.
- Do not prop open doors.
Nanaimo campus security
- Non-emergency (24/7): 250.740.6512
- After-hours (weekends/evenings): 250.753.3812
- Emergency 911 then when possible: 250.740.6600
- email: Security@viu.ca
Health lab access
Access to labs is embedded into your student ID Card. Your program assistant will program your card. Ensure your access works at the start of each term.
Unsupervised practice
- See Cowichan campus hours for access details.
- At their discretion, security may ask students to vacate the lab at any time.
- Lab access may be periodically restricted due to program requirements.
- The campus is closed for emergencies (i.e., snow closure) and during Christmas break.
Health lab safety
- Only HSHS students may be present in the lab.
- Work in pairs or use a buddy system.
- Ensure all doors are closed while practicing.
- It is recommended that students download the VIU Safety App
Health lab rules
- No Food or Drinks, other than covered water, in the labs.
- Supplies and equipment must be returned to where they belong in a neat and tidy manner. Each student must clean up after themselves.
- Do not prop open doors.
Cowichan campus security
- Non-emergency: 250.740.6512
- After-hours (weekends/evenings): 250.753.3812
- Emergency 911 then when possible: 250.740.6600
- email: Security@viu.ca
Health lab access
Consult your instructor to access the health labs. There is currently no unsupervised practice opportunities available.
Health lab hours
- See tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus hours for access details.
- It is recommended that students download the VIU Safety App
- The campus is closed for statutory holidays, emergencies (i.e., snow closures) and winter break.
tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus security
- Non-emergency and first aid: 604.485.2878
- After-hours (weekends/evenings): 250.753.3812
- Emergency 911 then when possible: 250.740.6600
- email: Security@viu.ca
Lab Resource Nurse
The Lab Resource Nurse is a Registered Nurse who supports the Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN), PN (Practical Nursing), and Health Care Assistant (HCA) Programs in the Faculty of Health and Human Services. The Lab Resource Nurse provides support and/or remediation to students to assist them to achieve safe practice of nursing skills, consolidate critical thinking competencies, and help overcome challenges related to specific nursing skills in a non-evaluative environment.
Refer to your student handbook for more information for booking an appointment with the Lab Resource Nurse.
Simulation learning
Simulation-based learning at Vancouver Island University is an essential bridge between classroom learning and clinical practice. Simulation provides immersive, active education that prepares students to deliver safe, competent, and compassionate care across many different practice settings. Through realistic clinical scenarios and standardized patients, learners actively apply classroom theory with practice in a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment to develop clinical judgment, improve communication and teamwork, and build confidence—without risk to real patients. BSN, PN, and HCA students may have the opportunity to participate in simulation-based learning in their programs.
Please watch the video below to see students care for Tyler, our pediatric manikin.