Hands-On, High Tech
Downingtown Center’s new Simulation Lab helps
future nurses hone their skills
Michelle Tooker
Step inside the Allied Health and Nursing Simulation Lab (Sim Lab) at the Downingtown Center, and you’ll see future nurses acquiring essential skills in a nurturing environment. Staffed by industry professionals and outfitted with the latest educational tools, the lab simulates real-life medical situations so students can learn in a space where it’s okay
to make mistakes.
Opened in fall 2023, the Downingtown Sim Lab features five medical-surgical beds and other modern health care equipment. It provides an environment for students to enhance their teamwork, interdisciplinary communication and critical-thinking abilities.
Michael Burkus selected Delaware County Community College (DCCC) because of the Nursing program’s excellent reputation. He wasn’t aware of the Sim Lab when he enrolled, yet two years into his studies, it’s become vital to preparing him for his future career.
“The lab allows us to practice fundamental patient care nursing skills commonly performed in clinical settings,” he says. “It gets us as close to skill competency as possible without going through trial-and-error mishaps on a real person.”
Genny Cavanagh, MSN, RN, SANE-A, dean of Allied Health and Nursing, adds that the lab is critical to preparing skilled workforces and improving health care outcomes. “The Sim Lab allows students to learn and demonstrate mastery of knowledge and clinical abilities while under supervision.”
In addition to the lab’s modern tools, students can access standard equipment, including oxygen-delivery systems and cardiac monitors. Students practice operating and troubleshooting these devices, along with basic nursing skills like wound care and catheterization.
“A well-equipped lab is essential for any faculty to teach nursing skills effectively,” says Biji Georgy, RN, MSN, associate professor of Nursing. “A nursing lab is the only place a student can make a mistake and not hurt or kill a patient.” She says the lab bridges a vital gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing students to develop and refine their skills in a safe environment.
Crucial to bridging this gap are the patient simulators, or manikins, which provide immersive learning experiences. Designed to simulate a variety of complex medical cases, they make heart, lung and bowel sounds and enable students to practice assessments and patient interactions.
“The manikins are the most essential element of the lab,” says Burkus. “Nearly everything we do requires the availability of a manikin for simulating realistic nursing procedures.”
“You can get a feel for what to detect in the real world,” adds Alyza Barnhouse, who is part of the concurrent associate and bachelor’s degree program between DCCC and West Chester University. “It’s not like watching a video or reading about something. You are actually simulating doing this in real life.”
With the College’s long history of supporting its Nursing program through innovative technology and learning tools, the Downingtown Sim Lab will help generations of future health care providers—like Burkus and Barnhouse—become skilled, compassionate caregivers.
To learn more, visit dccc.edu/sim-lab.
Generous support for upgraded equipment at the Allied Health and Nursing Simulation Labs at the Downingtown Center and Marple Campus was provided by Quest for the Best, the McLean Contributionship and the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund.
DCCC OFFERS SPECIALTY NURSING PROGRAMS NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE
In addition to providing Nursing students access to modern learning tools, DCCC offers specialty programs not widely available elsewhere.
Perioperative Nursing certificate program
Established in 1985, the Perioperative Nursing certificate program is the first in-person program in the U.S. The six-credit certificate teaches students how to serve as operating room nurses, which includes assisting with surgical care and ensuring surgeries run safely.
“While perioperative hospital programs exist, these programs train existing employees or new graduate nurses,” says Jacqui Bak, EdD, RN, MSN, CNOR, CST, RNFA, program director. “Our program provides registered nurses from all experience levels and backgrounds theopportunity to learn the basics of perioperative nursing within small groups led by experienced and certified faculty.”
The program includes hands-on experience in the College’s simulated operating rooms and clinical practicums at major health systems.
RN First Assistant in Surgery certificate program
In 1985, the College launched the RN First Assistant (RNFA) in Surgery certificate program—the country’s first in-person and oldest RNFA program. An RNFA is a perioperative registered nurse who functions in an expanded role or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who serves as a first assistant.
DCCC’s six-credit certificate is a hybrid long-distance learning program that includes five days on campus.It is one of the few U.S. programs that remains in-person and offers a perioperative and nurse practitioner track with personalized labs incorporated into the week on campus.
To learn more, visit dccc.edu/rn-first-assistant or dccc.edu/perioperative.