Levelling up our nursing sketches at the Skills and Simulation Centre

Bringing nursing roles to life for our graphic design interns

I recently spent a busy afternoon at the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre with 8 graphic design interns to help them better understand what nurses do. This visit to the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital gave the group a realistic view of 2 different nursing roles. It helped them create character illustrations and background art that feel authentic and provide visual context for our audience.

Seeing the environment in person meant our team didn’t have to rely on guesswork or generic stock photos. We wanted to represent the nursing profession in a way that feels real to the people who do the job every day.

Support from our practice educators

Janine, Richard, and Christine from our practice education team here at Public Services Delivery Scotland designed the sessions. They also agreed the learning outcomes to make sure our interns got exactly what they needed for their project. Their hard work meant the interns could focus on the specific details of nursing roles that would make their illustrations for the career guide stand out.

The practice education team didn't just stay behind the scenes either. They also played designated roles during the simulations to help the scenarios feel as realistic as possible for our designers. We also had help from Catherine, Skills and Simulation Centre Administrator, and Drew, Skills, Simulation, and Learning Technician, who provided essential planning, delivery, and technical support that made sure everything happened as expected on the day.

Capturing the small details

It’s often quite difficult to understand what a clinical environment feels like when you're looking at static photos or watching videos. The simulation centre gives staff a safe place to practice their skills, but it also offers a great "behind the scenes" look for people who don't work in healthcare. We wanted the interns to see how nurses work and interact so they could capture those small details that make designs feel real.

Up close with the clinical equipment

We kicked off the afternoon with some detailed demonstrations from the clinical education team at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital. This helped the group get up to speed before they moved on to watch the live scenarios in the high-tech ward and theatre. The interns saw how the equipment was handled and learned about the specific roles of the staff who work in these areas.

The clinical educators demonstrated the specific equipment required for endotracheal intubation and explained the role of theatre nurses during a surgery for our group. They also gave a talk on how the different surgical tools and devices work, which provided the interns with lots of inspiration for their drawings.

The first part of the afternoon was vital because it allowed the interns to ask questions before the simulations began. They learned about the technical side of the job. Understanding the "why" behind a task is just as important as knowing what the equipment looks like when you're trying to create a helpful career guide.

Observing work of a staff nurse and anaesthetic practitioner

Our day continued with a ward-based simulation where a staff nurse and an anaesthetic practitioner were checking observations and doing a patient handover. Having the support of the practice education team meant that we could dive deep into the usual tasks nurses do in these roles. It was a great way for the interns to see how clinical teams communicated before a patient was prepared for surgery.

"As a non-medical student, the simulation centre was invaluable. Walking through the ward helped me spot tiny details for our drawings that weren't visible in online photos."

— Evie, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

Throughout the session, our practice educators answered any questions the interns had about the different scenarios we watched. This kind of direct interaction helped our interns feel more confident when they sketched complex clinical scenes.

"The simulation showed us small aspects that reference photos usually miss. It was fascinating to see the jobs my friends and family do every day."

— Ellie, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

Hi-tech operating theatre scenario

We then moved into the simulated operating theatre where the anaesthetic nurse and anaesthetist prepared to anaesthetise the patient ahead of their procedure. The sim centre staff helped run the scenarios, and they used a high-tech manikin patient to make the whole experience feel realistic. Seeing these procedures performed gave the group a deeper understanding of the teamwork that goes into every healthcare procedure.

"Seeing procedures like incubation in real life gave me a deeper understanding of teamwork. This experience helped us accurately depict clinical staff and equipment."

— Katy, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

The interns spent time looking at the small details of the equipment and watching how the staff handled various surgical devices. This level of access meant our illustrations became much more accurate and they'll help people understand what to expect when they start a nursing pathway.

"Witnessing staff communication and equipment use in person was much more valuable than any textbook. I learned so much that will help our design projects."

— Jasmine, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

Why clinical details matter for our illustrations

The interns gained an appreciation for the amount of preparation and teamwork that goes into every procedure. By watching the clinical team interact with the patient manikin, they saw the human side of nursing. This included the empathy and communication that define the role every single day.

"I loved seeing realistic simulations that patients don’t normally witness. It provided clear context for lesser-known NHS roles that online images just don't have."

— Calum, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

The staff were very generous with their time and made sure everyone felt comfortable and had the information they needed. Our interns left the centre with a much better grasp of how to balance clinical accuracy with engaging visuals.

"The simulation experience was unforgettable. It was great to see the tools and equipment used in person so I could understand exactly how they work for our illustrations."

— Chloe, Graphic Design Student, Edinburgh Napier University

The team behind the simulations

Roisin, the manager of the Skills and Simulation Centre, was delighted to host the session, and she felt it was valuable for the interns to experience clinical practice. She was pleased to hear that the visit helped inform the new career resources we've developed.

"We were delighted to host the interns. It was great to hear that experiencing the pace and realities of clinical practice helped inform the career resource you have now developed."

— Roisin, Skills and Simulation Centre Manager

Richard also enjoyed the opportunity to support practice-informed learning and worked closely with the clinical educators to make sure the interns had an engaging experience. He hoped that this direct engagement would continue to shape their understanding of the clinical environments they've illustrated.

"Contributing to these scenarios was a great opportunity to support practice-informed learning. Engaging with the interns helped make sure they developed a rich understanding of the environments they illustrated."

— Richard, Practice Educator, Public Services Delivery Scotland

Spreading the word about nursing roles

Our visit to the simulation centre was a success, and it gave our interns a much better understanding of nursing skills. We're looking forward to seeing the final illustrations in the career guide, and we hope they'll help more people understand the variety of roles available. This collaboration shows how working together can help us create better resources for everyone who wants to explore careers in health and care.

I want to thank everyone at the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre for their support and for making us feel so welcome. We've used everything we learned to create a guide that helps the next generation of nurses find the right role for them. Watch this space!

Find out more about the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre.