Kearney students enjoy first simulation training

First-semester nursing students at the Kearney Division of the UNMC College of Nursing recently completed their first simulation event at the Health Science Education Complex.

The day included a scavenger hunt for items in the simulation suite (using an app called “Goose Chase”) and a chance for the students to become the voice of the “patient” from the simulation control room. Students interacted with the simulated patient based on such skills labs training as aspiration precautions, incontinence care, donning personal protective equipment and responsibilities as a nurse.

During the scavenger hunt, students located items worth a certain number of points. Teams photographed each item using the Goose Chase app — photos were downloaded to the apps page to check their accuracy.

Also during the day, the students completed a literature search on various topics dealing with simulation and summarized their findings. They also worked on practice questions that relate to the topics the students have discussed and worked on in skills labs.

Stacy Werner, Ed.D., assistant professor for the Kearney Division, teaches the Patient Centered Care Clinical course, for which the simulation was planned.

“This was a safe, fun manner to introduce the students to simulation,” Dr. Werner said. “You have to look at learner needs. This is the way this generation learns. It’s important that educators utilize innovative teaching strategies to help engage and motivate learners.”

Dr. Werner has created other learning activities with the intent of helping students transfer knowledge to the bedside. She reviews the course objectives and materials from the didactic courses and incorporates elements of review or knowledge-based learning into simulation. The students also demonstrate what they’ve learned in didactic and skills lab and apply it to the bedside in a simulated environment as well as the clinical setting.

Creating good simulations takes time; creating simulations with interactive learning activities can take even longer. Dr. Werner has teamed with Christina Jackson, Ed.D., simulation and clinical skills specialist for the Kearney Division.

“Chris and I have similar educational philosophies,” Dr. Werner said. “When we start brainstorming, the other will come up with a way to make it even better. We work together to help students learn in a fun, meaningful way. We’ve added additional learning activities throughout the simulation day to help students demonstrate their critical thinking skills while increasing their confidence in patient care.”

Students seemed to enjoy the exercise, calling it “very fun.”

“I feel more confident because of the activities today,” one student added.