Bradley University has unveiled its new Nursing Simulation Suite in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The $850,000 simulation lab will provide an immersive teaching experience for students, and features high-fidelity nursing manikins. This project obtained funding in the federal government's fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill through the efforts of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
The lab also contains a control room where professors can create realistic situations and can make the manikins ask for help and even yell or scream.
Speaking at the ceremony on Sept. 29, Dean of Nursing Dr. Jessica Clark said the lab will allow students to practice their skills before entering their nursing careers to prevent mistakes such as medication or treatment errors.
“We're simulating, in an environment of medical emergencies, techniques or procedures that students can practice prior before going out into the healthcare setting. So creating a lot of safety and confidence within our students with practice,” she said.
Clark also said the simulation lab will teach students to be prepared to fill gaps in nursing positions around the country.
“Rapidly changing advancements in medical technology have resulted in the need for more sophisticated and complex diagnosis and treatment by nurses,” Clark said. “Today's nurses must be trained to react to the increasing high pressure clinical challenges in real time and utilizing the best technology available.”
In addition to providing hands-on experience for current students, the Bradley University College of Education and Health Sciences has partnered with Peoria Public Schools to introduce Health Immersion Days.
“If you're a student in middle school or high school, or you know of a young mind who's aspiring to learn more about health care careers, let them know that Bradley University is a place in which they can and will be surrounded with support, and an environment in which they will succeed,” Clark said.
Bradley anticipates inviting 50-75 students from Manual High School and Peoria Central High School on an annual basis. Clark said hopes the program builds relationships between current and future students.
“Bringing them into a space where they can work with both current students as well as faculty, to ignite a passion or a sense of inquiry about healthcare careers is really exciting,” she said.
The College of Education and Health Sciences will host its first Health Immersion Day on Oct. 19, and Clark said 93 high school students were nominated to participate in the 26-student program day.
For more information on Bradley University’s health care education programs, visit https://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/ehs/
