friday takeout

Rhonda Oakland | Simulation Technician

Calmar

Share a little about your position at the College. What kind of work do you do as a Simulation Technician?

I have served as the Business and Community Solutions district-wide Simulation Technician for the College since the health simulation labs were created for our healthcare programs. I oversee the day-to-day operations, program scenarios, moulage of the simulators (i.e., I use make up to help make the scenario and situation more real such as adding bruises, cuts and wounds) and I operate the scenario by running the simulator and cameras that record the students. People may not realize that our health simulation labs are also used by community EMS services in Postville, Clermont and Winneshiek County, as well as Winneshiek Medical Center staff members.

How does something you do, during your workday or in your free time, impact the lives of our students?

I think it is important for students to have the situation be as real as possible. Adding realism and paying attention to detail is important. It can be hard to believe that the simulator is a real person, and this can make things challenging for students when they are caring for their patient in the scenario. I’m always searching for things that add to that realism. Even simple things impact learning, like giving the patient a story so the simulator is viewed as a real person and not just a manikin.

What is the favorite part of your job or workday at the College?

I love seeing when the students are able to critically think. You can almost see the wheels turning when they start to make the connection with what they learned in lecture. This really gets students to think like a nurse.

What was the most courageous or adventurous thing you did in your youth?

My friend and I thought it would be fun to take the dirt bikes out and ride them while her parents were gone - after they told us not to. Neither one of us really knew how to ride and, of course, our adventure did not turn out well. We ended up with some bumps and bruises. It was not fun trying to explain how my friend broke her arm.

Do you believe that more technology in the classroom or in the world is helping students learn?

I think technology is helping students learn in ways I never thought possible. In the simulation lab, students are given opportunities they may not encounter while in a clinical environment. These opportunities help them prepare, and provide better care, for patients. I think it is also important that if we are going to be using technology in the classroom, we need to make sure the technology we are using to teach stays up-to-date with the changing times.

Why did you choose your current profession?

I have always enjoyed caring for others. When my great-grandmother was in a nursing home and was not doing very well, I saw what compassion the nurses had when they cared for her. Living so far away and knowing she was receiving such good care made things easier for my family. I remember thinking, “I want to give others that same comfort.”