The primary objective of the Mary Smart Simulation Center is to support the curriculum of the nursing and allied health programs offered by Pensacola State College. It accomplishes this by offering alternative clinical experiences in a low risk environment. In addition to preparing for clinical assignments, students are allowed experiences that they would not receive in the clinical setting.

The nursing programs are the major scheduled users of the Center. Each student enrolled in nursing courses receives a percentage of their clinical hours in the Center as determined by the Board of Nursing allocation, curricular needs and resource availability.  Allied health programs, like Paramedic, E.M.T., Physical Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, and ECG Technician also receive a percentage of their clinical or lab hours in the Center.

Each nursing scenario is selected by the Education Director of the Center and the nursing department coordinator, and approved by the nursing curriculum committee, to insure that the content and schedule are appropriate for the course objectives and calendar. The lead faculty of each allied health program that incorporates simulation writes or selects each scenario in collaboration with the Education Director of the Center.