Along with experiences in hospital and community settings, students have the opportunity to engage in “real-life” experiences through simulation in the safety of the lab setting. Experiential learning through simulation allows students to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities (Miles, 2018). Simulation enhances the transfer of learning to the clinical setting to help close the gap between theory and practice (Miles, 2018). Reference Miles, D. A. (2018). Simulation learning and transfer in undergraduate nursing education: A grounded theory study. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(6), 347–353. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20180522-05
Nursing students in all four years of the BScN and Nurse Practitioner programs are provided with opportunities to engage in simulation scenarios. These simulated patients talk, breath, have lung, heart and bowel sounds and are physiologically modelled to respond to treatment and medication as would a real patient. Over 150 scenarios are available for students to experience, which facilitates the bridging of theory to practice.
The simulation lab uses a team of registered nurses that have strong clinical backgrounds as well as expertise in simulation education. The simulation faculty are thrilled with the students’ enthusiasm for simulation experiences:
- “I felt the simulation was a great learning experience. The rapidly changing patient condition allowed us to use our critical thinking skills. It was wonderful!!”
- “This experience was extremely valuable as it really incorporates our theory into a very realistic practice scenario. Good to evaluate our level of patient care, team work and problem solving skills”.
The simulation experiences have also benefited our graduates once they are in the workforce. A testimonial received attests to this fact:
- “I just want to thank you for the simulation experiences at the University of Windsor. I am working in a step-down unit that cares for patients with cardiac problems. When caring for these patients, I often think back to the simulation scenarios of the patient with chest pain and a scenario where the patient has a cardiac arrest. Both simulation scenarios have helped me to make better clinical decisions about my patient.” Rachel, BScN graduate 2019
Our Simulation labs were featured in the May 2016 (Volume 6) Ontario Simulation Alliance newsletter.
Simulation Labs location:
The Faculty of Nursing is equipped with one health assessment lab located on the 3rd Floor in the Dr. Murray O'Neil Medical Education Centre, and two skills practice labs located on the 2nd Floor in the Anthony P. Toldo Health Education Centre.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Debbie Rickeard
Experiential Learning Specialist
Faculty of Nursing
Room 3124 Medical Education Building
T: 519.253.3000 x4993
E: rickeard@uwindsor.ca
or
Prof. Amanda McEwen
Experiential Learning Specialist
Faculty of Nursing
Room 3126 Medical Education Building
T: 519.253.3000 x2248
E: amcewen@uwindsor.ca