Simulation Lab
Magnolia Society supports ASC nursing lab (07-12-2010)
The San Luis Valley’s Magnolia Society presented a check for $14,270.94 to support equipment in Adams State College’s new Nursing Simulation Lab.
Members of the Magnolia Society look on as the group’s president Christy Brady presents a check for $14,270.94 to members of the Adams State nursing faculty and staff (from left) Sharon Melvin, Brady, Director of Nursing Amanda Jojola, Simulation Lab Coordinator Allison Bennett, Administrative Assistant Carol Ott, and Student Laboratory Technician Alfonso Velasquez.“We are honored that you have chosen to support the healthcare needs of our community,” Adams State Director of Nursing Amanda Jojola told the group at a reception July 7. The group was then treated to demonstrations of lab capabilities.
Affiliated with the Colorado Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Magnolia Society selects a different community project to fund through their annual auction each year.
“We try to choose projects that benefit as much of the San Luis Valley as possible,” said society president Christy Brady. “I’m really excited about having the Simulation Lab come up. It’s going to be a great facility.”
Simulation Lab Coordinator Allison Bennett, RN, said the lab will directly impact health care quality in the SLV by offering training sessions to area nursing students and medical staff. Collaborating with Adams State in the lab are Trinidad State Junior College, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, and Valley Wide Health Systems.
ASC Sim Lab Coordinator Allison Bennett (second from right) demonstrates capabilities of a computerized mannequin for the Magnolia Society.Equipped with more than $540,000 worth of the most up-to-date high fidelity simulation equipment available, the lab replicates an actual nursing station and hospital rooms. It will give nursing students practice in caring for six “patients,” computer-operated mannequins that can be programmed to simulate a full range of disease processes, medical-surgical events, mental health issues, and obstetric and pediatric situations. One mannequin, “Noelle,” can even give birth. The group of mannequins also includes a child, two infants, and two other adults. The most advanced, SimMan 3G, valued at $65,000, can not only bleed, but cry, sweat and produce other body fluids. “He” can also be modified to simulate a female patient.
Magnolia Society members listen in to the breath and pulses emitted by the ASC Nursing Simulation Lab’s SimMan 3G, one of six computerized mannequins that will help train nursing students and area health care providers.“This lab is definitely right up there with all the other simulation labs in the country, and probably will become better than most,” noted Jojola, who recently completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She is also a certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
Adams State and TSJC nursing students will begin training in the Simulation Lab this fall. A grand opening and tours of the facility, located in Richardson Hall, will be announced in August or September.
A cohort of 25 students is currently enrolled in Adams State’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with another cohort of 30 set to begin in the spring. Eleven students are enrolled in the RN to BSN degree completion program, with more expected to register for the fall.
Adams State has also received contributions to build the lab from Janet Magnum, Caring for Colorado, HRSA (federal Health Resources and Services Administration, Monte Vista Machine Tool, Michael Hudson, and Wall, Smith, Bateman & Associates, Inc.
By Julie Waechter
