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Disaster Simulation

Disaster Simulation - transferOn Monday, November 7, Bellin College hosted a life-like disaster simulation involving students in both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) programs. The disaster simulation also included assistance from County Rescue, Village of Bellevue Fire and Rescue, and local area medical professionals. The simulation was held in the labs of the Health Sciences Resource Center in the lower level of the College.

The area was transformed to create the environment of a hospital reacting to an emergency situation where students were depicted as real bombing victims who attended a football game at Lambeau Field. The victims were transported by bus to make the situation realistic. Students had to think quick to transport patients to safety and provide them with needed emergency care based on identified injuries. This simulation provides students the opportunity to practice skills learned in the classroom and clinical setting.

The goal of coordinating life-like simulations like this is to provide students with hands-on learning to better prepare them for the future of healthcare through improving interprofessional communication, collaboration, and teamwork in order to provide quality patient care in emergency situations.

Fifty-three senior nursing students and 11 junior radiologic sciences students participated in the simulation. This type of hands-on learning allowed the students to apply leadership concepts and skills they learned in the classroom and in clinical in a safe controlled environment. Knowing they won’t harm a patient prepares them to be confident and successful leaders in their chosen healthcare field. It helps them to start think about things a little differently and how to prioritize and organize care. They see first hand how to work together as a team and work with other professionals such as firefighters, EMTs, etc… This allows them to see the roles of different providers and see their expertise and knowledge first hand.

BSN student, Taylor Wiese described the experience as one that will help her be a better nurse and be able to work together as a team, and to collaborate and communicate to be able to provide the best patient care. Playing the role of the victim also helps the students to understand what it is like to be in the patients shoes.

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