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University of Florida Launches AI-Powered App Clinicals to Transform Nursing Education
In Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida’s College of Nursing has introduced an artificial‑intelligence (AI) mobile application called Clinicals. The app, promoted by UF Innovate and SCAD Media, offers nursing students a portable “simulation lab” that can be accessed at any time and from any location. The launch was announced on September 1, 2026, and is intended to supplement hands‑on clinical experience that was disrupted during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Clinicals was developed under the guidance of Dr. Michael Bumbach, a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida’s College of Nursing. In an interview with UF Innovate host Angela Martinez Aponte, Dr. Bumbach explained that the app uses AI to create realistic patient interactions. He said the technology provides communication, grading, and learning tools that mimic bedside encounters. "We call it a simulation lab in your pocket," he noted, emphasizing that students can practice skills whenever they have a break, even during night shifts.
The need for an AI‑based solution emerged when the pandemic forced nursing programs to suspend in‑person clinical rotations. Dr. Bumbach recalled that the college had to find alternatives to keep students progressing. "When COVID happened, we had to pull all of our nursing students out of the clinic," he said. The app was designed to fill that gap, allowing students to engage in simulated scenarios that would otherwise be unavailable in a hospital or clinic setting.
Beyond student training, the application aims to improve patient care outcomes. Dr. Bumbach stated that the ultimate goal is to produce safer providers who can deliver better clinical care. "At the end of the day, we want to be safe providers of care, and be able to make the patient interaction better, the clinical aspect better, and ultimately, the health outcomes better," he said.
The Clinicals app is part of a broader trend in nursing education that incorporates simulation and AI to enhance learning. According to a 2025 review published in the Journal of Nursing Education, AI‑driven simulations can increase scalability, personalization, and interactivity for nursing students. The University of Florida’s initiative aligns with that research by offering a mobile platform that students can use outside of scheduled clinical hours.
The app’s design reflects the digital habits of contemporary nursing students, many of whom are described as “digital natives.” By providing a portable learning tool, the College of Nursing hopes to accommodate students who work night shifts or have irregular schedules. The ability to complete simulation scenarios during short breaks could help students earn clinical credit and gain exposure to situations they might not encounter in a traditional clinical rotation.
While the article does not detail the technical architecture of Clinicals, it highlights that AI is central to the app’s functionality. The system likely employs natural‑language processing to simulate patient dialogue and machine‑learning models to assess student performance. However, specific algorithms or data sources were not disclosed.
The launch of Clinicals follows other AI initiatives at the University of Florida, including a 2024 blog that brought together nurses, data scientists, and educators to discuss AI’s future in nursing. The college’s long‑term strategy, as noted in a 2026 announcement, positions AI at the core of research infrastructure and curriculum development.
In summary, the Clinicals app represents a concrete effort by the University of Florida to integrate AI into nursing education. By offering a mobile simulation lab, the app addresses gaps created by the pandemic, supports flexible learning for students, and aims to improve patient care outcomes. The initiative demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to enhance clinical training and may serve as a model for other nursing programs seeking to modernize their educational tools.
Clinicals was developed under the guidance of Dr. Michael Bumbach, a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida’s College of Nursing. In an interview with UF Innovate host Angela Martinez Aponte, Dr. Bumbach explained that the app uses AI to create realistic patient interactions. He said the technology provides communication, grading, and learning tools that mimic bedside encounters. "We call it a simulation lab in your pocket," he noted, emphasizing that students can practice skills whenever they have a break, even during night shifts.
The need for an AI‑based solution emerged when the pandemic forced nursing programs to suspend in‑person clinical rotations. Dr. Bumbach recalled that the college had to find alternatives to keep students progressing. "When COVID happened, we had to pull all of our nursing students out of the clinic," he said. The app was designed to fill that gap, allowing students to engage in simulated scenarios that would otherwise be unavailable in a hospital or clinic setting.
Beyond student training, the application aims to improve patient care outcomes. Dr. Bumbach stated that the ultimate goal is to produce safer providers who can deliver better clinical care. "At the end of the day, we want to be safe providers of care, and be able to make the patient interaction better, the clinical aspect better, and ultimately, the health outcomes better," he said.
The Clinicals app is part of a broader trend in nursing education that incorporates simulation and AI to enhance learning. According to a 2025 review published in the Journal of Nursing Education, AI‑driven simulations can increase scalability, personalization, and interactivity for nursing students. The University of Florida’s initiative aligns with that research by offering a mobile platform that students can use outside of scheduled clinical hours.
The app’s design reflects the digital habits of contemporary nursing students, many of whom are described as “digital natives.” By providing a portable learning tool, the College of Nursing hopes to accommodate students who work night shifts or have irregular schedules. The ability to complete simulation scenarios during short breaks could help students earn clinical credit and gain exposure to situations they might not encounter in a traditional clinical rotation.
While the article does not detail the technical architecture of Clinicals, it highlights that AI is central to the app’s functionality. The system likely employs natural‑language processing to simulate patient dialogue and machine‑learning models to assess student performance. However, specific algorithms or data sources were not disclosed.
The launch of Clinicals follows other AI initiatives at the University of Florida, including a 2024 blog that brought together nurses, data scientists, and educators to discuss AI’s future in nursing. The college’s long‑term strategy, as noted in a 2026 announcement, positions AI at the core of research infrastructure and curriculum development.
In summary, the Clinicals app represents a concrete effort by the University of Florida to integrate AI into nursing education. By offering a mobile simulation lab, the app addresses gaps created by the pandemic, supports flexible learning for students, and aims to improve patient care outcomes. The initiative demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to enhance clinical training and may serve as a model for other nursing programs seeking to modernize their educational tools.
