The Sampson Community College Nursing Program has completed an impressive fully functional lab that provides simulation-based education and hands-on training in a lifelike setting.

The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including a PROMPT Birthing Simulator, SimBaby, VitaSimKid, SimMan, two Virtual I.V.'s, Phlebotomy Simulator and even a Simulated Medication Dispensing System. This comprehensive laboratory allows students to experience healthcare training across the life span ranging from birth, infancy, pediatric and adult care. “There are endless learning possibilities for our students now. Clinical simulation is the future of healthcare training where we can challenge the students' decision-making skills in the classroom and clinical settings,” says Wanda Capps, Division Chair of Health Programs at SCC.

With a growing trend in technical advancement, the simulated learning lab is putting SCC on the map. The PROMPT Birthing Simulator enables instructors to effectively teach the complexities associated with birthing, and students learn the skills required for successful deliveries. SimBaby includes realistic anatomy and clinical functionality and allows students to practice and perfect their pediatric skills in a risk-free environment. VitaSimKid realistically represents a six-year old child designed for scenario-based training. SimMan breathes, talks and has palpable pulses and telemetry monitoring. All of the simulated mannequins have the ability to mimic many other bodily functions as well such as heart sounds, fetal heart sounds, breath sounds, bowel sounds and blood pressure.

Aside from the simulated mannequins are two virtual I.V.'s and a Phlebotomy Simulator that is a comprehensive and fully interactive self-guided learning system for training intravenous catheterization. Impressive 3D graphics provide visual realism and a device that accurately simulates the sense of touch and even responds with bleeding, bruising, swelling and other reactions. The lab is even complete with a Simulated Medication Dispensing System that replicates a hospital medication delivery system.

Not only are the students benefitting from this technology, but the SCC Nursing faculty is sharpening their skills as well. Included in the lab is an Advanced Video System (AVS) that aids educators by easily capturing simulation video, audio, data logs and patient monitoring. Instructors are even able to run pre-programmed scenarios as well as write their own custom scenarios adapted to meet student learning needs. “This lab is truly transforming our students into a team of experts that can adapt to a variety of critical settings that will ultimately improve patient safety when they're in the real life clinical setting,” adds Capps.

With an already amazing learning environment, Capps is looking forward to the future. “We're looking to add a crash cart and eventually a simulated defibrillator as well. The learning possibilities are endless, and this is just the beginning of the many extraordinary things to come for the SCC Nursing Program.”

For more information about SCC Nursing or the Simulation Learning Lab, contact Wanda Capps at 592-8081 or visit www.sampsoncc.edu.