Laboratory Simulation

Video - WHEN THE REAL THING ISN'T SAFE ENOUGH

Rapidly Advancing Technologies Enhance Education and Ultimately Patient Safety

Students improve skills and confidence in simulated learning environments, with the ultimate goal of providing safe, quality patient care.

In the sophomore year, students learn basic nursing skills on a variety of mannequins and task trainers. Familiarity with equipment and nursing motor performance skill (muscle memory) is achieved. Students practice until they feel confident and successful in nursing skills.

Later in the program, students put their knowledge and skills into action in more complex patient scenarios. Students interact with mannequins just as they would a live patient. The mannequin responds with changing vital signs in realistic ways to the students' interventions. Students are allowed to manage patient situations in the lab that are rare or associated with significant risk without harming a patient. After the simulation, students reflect on their performance and get feedback from faculty experts. In this way, the simulated learning laboratory provides a safe environment for both students and patients.