. >> reporter: molly gonzales wants to be a nurse. going straight from a classroom setting to real patients can be intimidating. these simulati the gap. >> like wow, i can practice this and the mannequin is not going to judge me. >> reporter: it's not just about comfort. these kinds of labs are a popular training tool for colleges across the country. if hcc communities are going to compete, the school needed to upgrade. they can get quality ems and nursing education at community college prices and gets them to working in an in-demand field the first two works. they can work and get their chelor's degree but be out in the field and working as nurses. >> reporter: which is ideal for those trying to make ends meet while getting an education like gonzales. >> we want to go on to be nurse practitioners and get master's degrees of nursing. and we know that you have to start somewhere. >> reporter: once she competes this program at hcc, gonzales plans to become a nurse and continue her education at usf. adam weiner, abc action news. >>> ther