SGSC hosts open house for nursing simulation lab

South Georgia State College now has a new simulation nursing lab and hosted visitors to the lab recently. The open house featured SGSC’s new high-tech, high-fidelity learning simulators – the Laerdal SimMom and the Laerdal SimJunior. The SimMom is an advanced, full-body birthing simulator with accurate anatomy and functionality to facilitate obstetric training of delivery management. Since registered nurses need the same level of confidence and experience in treating children that they have for treating adults, the SimJunior provides realistic pediatric training to build confidence and prepare health providers for the complex and diverse clinical situations that pediatric patients experience.

Simulation utilizes computerized mannequins to replicate real patient scenarios for nursing students to practice assessment, communication, and procedure skills with instant feedback in a controlled environment. A computer-controlled simulator is used to create a customized situation/scenario mimicking real patient care. The mannequins come with many features such as the ability to talk, breathe, heart and lung sounds, and pulses throughout the body.

The blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygenation can all be manipulated. Adding wounds, chest tubes, IV lines, and intubation tubes can also be done. In addition, simulators help teach students how to handle emergencies including cardiac arrest, allergic reactions, seizures, and hemorrhage. The simulation experience is digitally recorded, allowing for a debriefing or reflection of the performance.

SGSC nursing faculty members Bobby Jean Musgrove, Cheryl Solomon, Kasey Strickland, and Lisa Batten provided simulation demonstrations for guests of the open house.