Simulated Clinical Experiences
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences uses advanced simulation technology to educate future nurses to provide high-quality safe evidence-based patient care. Using patient simulators (meet our simulation family) and bedside computers, reality based simulated patient care experiences are provided across the curriculum.
These simulated clinical experiences augment clinical learning and ensure that all students have the opportunity to “act and think” like a professional nurse in curriculum specified clinical scenarios.
Clinical simulation learning:
- increases confidence in psychomotor skills and patient interactions
- improves clinical problem solving and decision making skills
- facilitates application of theory to clinical practice
- provides a safe, supportive educational environment
- increases patient care safety and risk management
- encourages interprofessional teamwork and collaboration
- incorporates opportunities for use of patient care technologies and client information systems
Student feedback regarding clinical simulation experiences:
“The simulation experience was helpful as a learning experience and a confidence booster. It helped me to realize that I am actually learning stuff despite feeling like I know nothing sometimes.”
“Simulation allowed us the collaborative effort of a group of students working together. It gave me a chance to hear how others were thinking and processing the information we were receiving.”
“I think that the simulation was an excellent activity. This was probably the experience in lab in which I learned the most out of. I hadn't had much experience with respiratory patients, and I feel that being put in a situation where we get to practice our critical thinking skills independently is very beneficial in helping me to remember these skills forever, vs. only getting to read about them in a textbook.”
“I gained a ton of knowledge from the lab simulations. Even though they were not completely like the clinical setting, I think they still did a good job portraying similar situations.”
“I also feel that the simulation experience was wonderful. As the primary nurse, I was truly able exercise autonomous clinical judgment and critical analysis in a safe setting. The experience was a testament that I have retained and can utilize the knowledge and skills I have gained thus far.”
“When we were doing the simulation and I was a med nurse and forgot to check the IV fluid that was hanging…it was very memorable, because it felt like a semi-real situation, and making a mistake that could be “life-threatening” was very impactful, so it caused me to retain that piece of information more then someone simply telling me.”
“I definitely learned most from the simulation experiences. Being able to apply what you learned to a particular situation in a safe environment was very helpful.”
