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Lee University School of Nursing (SON) continues to expand its simulation-learning center for nursing students.

The SON simulation area, which features six hospital-like rooms and a telehealth room, uses a variety of simulators to assist students with decision-making and skill application. Students are able to respond to mock heart attacks, treat wounds, converse with patients, and even deliver babies, all through simulation.

Jeffrey Rose, Lee’s SON simulations operation technician, most recently achieved status as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Rose successfully passed the certification exam that serves as formal professional recognition of specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, and accomplishments in simulation operations. He is responsible for equipment and mannequin function and maintenance, as well as playing an important role in each simulation.

The SON runs two to three simulations each week, some of which take weeks of planning. “I work with the team to plan simulations and make sure we are using our equipment correctly and to its highest potential,” said Rose.

Shannon McBrayer, SON professional practice coordinator and faculty lecturer, serves as the lead of the simulation area and labs. She was successful in passing the exam to become a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, also through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

According to Dr. Sara Campbell, dean of Lee’s School of Nursing, Rose and McBrayer’s certifications demonstrate the excellence of the SON simulation area and move the area toward increasingly higher distinction in nursing education.

“Simulation continues to be an effective way for students to learn about situations they may encounter in the healthcare setting,” said McBrayer. “We record all our simulations so students can look back and learn from their mistakes. Aside from responding to the healthcare scenario, this also lets them see how they are working as a team without a professor in the room.”

In addition to ensuring the simulation and lab areas run smoothly, McBrayer is responsible for integrating national simulation standards throughout the simulation scenarios, educating faculty about their role in simulation, and ensuring realistic simulations that demonstrate student learning.

“It’s a new, exciting field of education, and a lot of hard work,” said McBrayer. “In the end, though, it is all worth it, because we are helping our students become better nurses.”

For more information on Lee’s SON, visit http://leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing/.