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Turning Knowledge into Care: Inside a Health Program Simulation
Turning Knowledge into Care: Inside a Health Program Simulation
by Marc Vézina
July 2024
I had the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a student for a day, thanks to the simulation team from the health department at the Pearson Adult and Career Centre, part of the Lester B. Pearson School Board. I was invited to participate in the Health, Assistance, and Nursing program’s Pre-Stage Clinical Simulation Day. Here’s a glimpse into this enriching experience.
Imagine a full day dedicated to students, outside their regular class hours, where they engage in a hands-on pre-stage clinical scenario. This isn’t an evaluation; it's a test drive before they face real patients in hospitals. In assigned teams of two, one team tackled a realistic healthcare simulation enactment. The other teams simultaneously rotated through self-learning stations related to the same healthcare scenario, allowing students an opportunity to practice their previously learned skills independently.
Student’s preparation is the first step in the process. They are given in advance prework to review, covering all nursing aspects of the clinical scenario via their learning management system, Google Classroom.
During the morning briefing, the group’s mood noticeably shifted as students came to understand that the Pre-Stage Clinical Simulation Day wasn’t an evaluation. It was to be a practice session to make them more comfortable, integrating knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours. Students discussed the case in detail, got introduced to their patient Ms. Nero (a very life-like mannequin), the environment, and received a report from the night nurse.
During regular rounds, an unexpected situation arose (no spoilers here). The teams had to think on their feet, discuss among themselves, and make critical decisions without any interventions from the SIM facilitators. The mannequin stayed in character, ensuring a realistic experience.
After the simulation, a large group debrief followed. This session focused on teamwork, communication, procedures, decision-making, prioritization, problem-solving, leadership, and ultimately, professionalism.
When interviewed, Sylvia Meyer, SIM Lab Coordinator, and Catherine Ross, SIM Lab Technician, stated that the “implementation of pre-stage clinical simulation days provides PACC’s LPN students the opportunity to navigate through a fully immersive experiential learning environment”. This pedagogical tool provides the SIM facilitators “with the priceless opportunity to witness the evolution of the student’s learning processes, those ah ha! moments where the pieces of knowledge suddenly come together and make sense”.
One student remarked, “If you conduct other sessions like this, I will be the first to join.” Another highlighted the importance of "applying their knowledge in a (psychologically) safe and controlled environment". Their engagement and appreciation of the process was perceptible. Participating in this simulation took students out of passive learning and plunged them into action. The palpable emotion of realizing, “This is not going as planned; I need to find a solution,” underscored the necessity of a safe space for practice and to understand the responsibilities associated with their future profession.
PACC’s Clinical Simulation lab is a member of Simulation Canada and as such, adheres to the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) standards of best practice.
For this consultant, this experience was a powerful reminder of the effectiveness of simulations and role play as pedagogical approaches. It was great to observe and be part of that holistic moment when knowledge turns into competency, as understanding, emotion, and professionalism align.
Combining this simulation enactment with other self-learning stations like drawing blood samples, administering medication, documentation, and reviewing the LPN scope of practice was a smart move. It allowed students to learn through peer teaching, validated by SIM facilitators during the debrief.
PACC’s future licensed practical nurses will undoubtedly be assets to the healthcare system after they graduate.
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