OVERVIEW
The Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center provides a supportive and caring environment for nursing students to learn, practice, and demonstrate nursing skills.
Nursing students learn psychomotor, critical thinking and physical assessment skills necessary for experience in a “live” clinical area. The opportunity to become familiar with equipment and techniques in a non-threatening environment that simulates the clinical nursing environment is a critical component of skill acquisition.
The Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center consists of three rooms. All of the scheduled labs are held in either M31 or M28. M31 contains five individual units. Each unit has an adult-size bed, a bedside stand, an over-bed table, portable suction, and sphygmomanometer. In addition, this room is equipped with a smart board, mounted projector, TV/VCR, and computer connected to the Internet. M28 is designated as the practice room. It contains two individual units and six exam tables. The Advanced Skills Lab, M29, is used primarily for simulations using the life-sized computer-driven human patient simulators. This room contains two individual units, two towers, two adult sized human patient simulators, and two baby-sized human patient simulators in bassinets. In addition, the Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center is equipped with life-sized mannequins, a variety of instructional models, skills equipment, disposable supplies, and other state-of-the-art simulators.
Make sure to check out more lab photos.
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STAFF
Carolyn Crutchfield, MS, RN Coordinator
Office: Maryland Hall – 34
Phone: 443-412-2249
Email: ccrutchf@harford.edu
Cathy Sikora, BSN Instructional Lab Assistants
Katie Hutchinson, BSN Part-time
Christina McArdle, BSN
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HOURS
Hours of operation for the Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center vary according to the labs and learning activities that have been scheduled and can be found on Docushare. Usually the Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. At least once a month, there will be evening hours and Saturday morning hours. A calendar is prepared monthly indicating when the center will be open for practice. Occasionally changes have to be made to the schedule and this will be posted on the bulletin board outside of M28.
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POLICIES
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center is to support classroom and clinical instruction. This Center provides the opportunity for students to obtain information and skills in nursing prior to client care. The Center facilities and equipment are to be used only for skills practice or program related assignments (presentations, seminars, group projects). Staff is not responsible to provide first aid or other medical care to students, other members of the college community, or to the community at large.
CLASSES
Scheduled labs are held in M31. Food or drinks are not allowed in the lab rooms. Children or animals are also not permitted in these areas. Any missed scheduled nursing lab class must be made up. Arrangements are to be made by the student with the faculty instructor teaching the lab or Course Coordinator.
DRESS CODE
Students are to wear lab coats to scheduled lab classes and return demonstrations. Comfortable clothes and easy to remove shoes should be worn.
PRACTICE
Open lab practice times are posted on this web site, Docushare, and on the bulletin board located outside of M28. Students are required to practice in the Nursing Skills Lab and Simulation Center prior to the day of the return demonstration. Practice for the skills for return demonstration must be completed within one week after the skill was presented in the lab. Students are encouraged to practice with a partner or in groups independently. Staff will be available for guided practice as needed or to answer questions.
Students are required to “sign in” on the computer located inside the door of M28 when coming to practice. ID cards must be used to sign in. No practice will be allowed unless a member of the staff or faculty member is present.
NURSING KITS
Each student is required to purchase a nursing kit from the college store. The kits contain supplies needed for learning skills. These kits are to be brought to designated lab classes and to practice sessions. Your purchase receipt will be needed when the kits are distributed in the Center on a date that will be announced.
EQUIPMENT
Students are responsible for helping to keep the Center neat and to take reasonable care when using the equipment. Certain equipment such as BP cuffs and stethoscopes may be signed out overnight to practice at home.
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SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Spring 2008
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RESOURCES
Non-print Media Directory
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PROJECT C.U.R.E.
Project C.U.R.E. operates medical relief collection centers in the United States and the United Kingdom. The African distribution office is located in Ghana. On an average, Project C.U.R.E. delivers two 40-foot ocean-going cargo containers filled with medical relief each week.
“Project C.U.R.E.’s goal is to establish long-term relationships with effective, trustworthy Project Partner organizations to provide the tools necessary to the development of successful healthcare delivery systems.” Project Partner organizations include the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Society, Rotary International, the Medical Benevolence Foundation and numerous faith-based and humanitarianism organizations.
Composition of C.U.R.E.’s cargo is determined through an on-site Needs Assessment. Staff visits the clinic or hospital and meets with doctors and nurses. An in-depth study is prepared regarding medical expertise, scope of training, and availability of technicians, electrical power, and spare parts. Appropriate items are loaded into a 40-foot steel container and shipped to the recipient country.
The Nursing Program became involved with the Medical Benevolence Foundation several years ago. We have been collecting used items from the lab such as gloves, foley bags, suction tubing, and dressings that could be sent to needy hospitals or clinics. Each semester, we send several large boxes full of supplies.
We would like for students to take a more active role in this project. Please don’t discard used supplies in the trash but put them in the proper collection receptacles located in the Center. When you graduate, please donate any supplies that are remaining in your nurse kit.
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