The Simulation Lab is located at the Bruning Center for Allied Health Education, a satellite campus of Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC). “Simulation” is an innovative educational modality to practice specific situations, which students will encounter
as a nurse. The MHCC Nursing program began using simulation in 2004, was the first multi-room simulation lab of its kind established in Oregon and has a history of implementation that rivals other educational facilities throughout Oregon.
Nursing
theory, skills and behaviors are learned throughout the nursing program. In simulation, students practice integrating these components and learn how to apply what they have learned into taking care of real patients. This creates a “bridge” between
theory, coursework and real patient care.
The Simulation Lab layout is a realistic hospital environment, includes all the normal supplies and equipment of a current day hospital room and houses “human patient simulators” (HPS). True to life simulation manikins fill hospital beds, which are internally
equipped with sophisticated technology to replicate human functioning, such as breathing and lung sounds. Experienced faculty use strategies to manipulate these manikins and other equipment to mimic various simulated human symptoms, diseases and conditions,
which nurses will be exposed to. Students participate in the role of a nurse during these realistic scenarios.
They learn to:
- think critically
- solve problems
- prevent errors
- prioritize and delegate
- make decisions
- provide nursing care in a safe simulated environment (manikins can’t be harmed like a real human)
- communicate with team members
- develop professional behavior
- integrate established nursing skills into patient care
- practice infection control
- respond to changes in unexpected patient conditions
- demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Simulation creates an emotional connection to the learning experiences. When this connection is established, the memory is profoundly seared into a person’s mind and significant learning is retained and transferrable to real life patient care.
In summary, through well-designed scenarios, students are boosted to achieve competency to become nurses. Research studies demonstrate that well-designed activities conducted in simulation labs can translate into outcomes for health care professionals
who have solid clinical reasoning, confidence, deliver safe patient care and transition to real clinical practice at a rapid pace.
MHCC Nursing graduates are well prepared to take care of patients in health care settings!
Web Links to Relevant Simulation Sites