Collegian

Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Nursing student Rhonda Walker calls in Barry Simulator's vital signs

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze RN Lab Coordinator Mary Grady acts as Barry's wife during a simulated asthma attack.

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Control panel for Barry, the human patient simulator. Almost any patient situation can be created here.

Throughout the day, a team of about four nursing students worked together to help Barry through a severe asthma attack.

Fortunately for the nursing students, Barry was actually a mannequin designed to simulate possible scenarios nursing students may encounter one day as a nurse.

RN Lab Coordinator Mary Grady said that the nursing program obtained the simulator about two years ago through grants.

"This is the first semester we've been able to use the simulator," said Grady. "A nurse has to develop the scenarios."

About 400 students had the opportunity to work with the simulator.

"The early nursing students took vital signs." said Grady.

Grady explained that there are a number of possible scenarios that could be created for using the simulator.

"We can even make Barry a woman," Grady said.

Barry's asthma attack was part of the 20 minute scenario the advanced nursing students participated in.

Grady said the practice sessions were "taped to see if there are areas where teaching can be improved."

Nursing student Rhonda Walker, who played the role of primary nusre, described the experience as humbling.

Grady said that she hopes that the nursing program will be able to use the simulator more.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools