Trinity student nurses to benefit from cutting edge simulated learning
Posted on: 26 June 2018
Students to learn and practice clinical skills in new simulation suite
A state-of-the-art simulation suite for student nurses has just been opened at the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences on the St James’s Hospital campus.
Nurse education has evolved over the years, and one of the most recent innovations is the introduction of simulated learning environments. Nursing students at Trinity will now be able to carry out a broad range of clinical procedures and scenarios for acute and community adult nursing, child nursing, mental health nursing, midwifery, paramedic and operating department practice at the new Trinity Simulation Suite.
Combining the latest innovation in simulation mannequins, live-streaming video debriefing and evidence-based practice, simulated learning allows students to practice clinical skills in a safe, structured environment under the guidance of qualified discipline-specific, clinical nurse tutors. Students will be monitored through an observation room and sessions will be recorded for student self-assessment.
The opening of the new simulation suite took place at the closing ceremony of Trinity’s School of Nursing and Midwifery 21st year celebrations.
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Mary McCarron said: “It is appropriate that this latest innovation in clinical education is being launched as we celebrate our 21 years in nursing at Trinity. Twenty-one years ago Trinity introduced the first degrees in nursing and we gather here today, celebrating the contribution of all our staff, students and graduates, both past and present, to nursing in Ireland and all over the world. We continuously strive to improve nursing education, and today’s opening of the Simulation Suite is yet another milestone in doing so.”
Commenting on the benefits for nursing students, Clinical Skills Manager, Freda Neill, said: “Our new simulation suite allows us to combine the highest standards of education with the latest innovation in clinical training for all healthcare professionals. It provides nursing students with a valuable learning experience, combining theory with practice. They are able to gain experience in skills or procedures that would otherwise be difficult, such as managing emergency situations and resuscitation. This not only builds our students’ knowledge, but also their confidence.”
On the occasion of the opening of the simulation suite, the School of Nursing and Midwifery launched the inaugural Trinity College Dublin Nursing and Midwifery Badge. The badge aims to enhance Trinity’s identity in terms of nursing and midwifery education and research, at home and abroad, through it being worn by College’s alumni on their professional nursing and midwifery uniforms. It has been a longstanding historical practice that nurses and midwives would wear their training school badges on their uniforms as practicing qualified and registered nurses and midwives. The launch of this Trinity College Dublin badge seeks to continue this professional nursing and midwifery tradition.