Abstract:

Educating Nursing students in these tough economic times is a challenge for Nursing Schools these days. Using simulation as a learning tool to educate nursing students to be better prepared to work with patients at the bedside has proven to be an invaluable experience for both the faculty and the student. Having the ability to practice in a safe setting and hone in on the skills needed to practice and deliver excellent care to the patient population is extremely important. Simulation centers and simulation labs provide the venue for the faculty to allow students to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes without harming anyone. It also allows the students a "do-over " so they can perfect their craft and become great nurses. The College received a generous donation from a nursing alumni which funded the building of the Dotson Simulation Lab and Learning Center. Simulation scenarios were developed for each course and the students were given a two hour orientation to the Simulation Lab prior to their first encounter. Within one year, simulation was integrated in each nursing class throughout the undergraduate curiculum. Today, The Dotson Simulation Lab runs daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm throughout the academic year and is staffed by 5-7 Simulation Faculty and 2 Simulation Technology Specialists along with the Director and Lab co-ordinator.

Keywords:

Simulation, nursing, learning.