Medical simulation lab and Hospice of Midland provide valuable experience for students

The highly sophisticated computerized manikins in Midland College's (MC) medical simulation lab breathe, blink, speak, bleed, and even sweat! Until recently, the manikins have always survived all types of disease, cardiac arrest, and other trauma inflicted upon them for the purpose of teaching students in MC's health sciences programs.

Before each lab session, the manikins are programmed by Simulation Lab Director, Lea Keesee, RN, and Simulation Lab Coordinator, Cindy Madewell, RN, to mimic real-life hospital situations. At the beginning of the session, students are presented with a scenario of the patient's ailment, which includes a brief biography of the patient and some information about family members. At the end of most sessions, the manikin is healed and students leave knowing a little bit more about medical care.

However, on December 2 and 3, the lab scenario is presented to graduating Associate Degree Nursing students began this way: "Luke Brannon is a 35-year-old male, married to Diana, with a 10-year-old stepdaughter, Chelsea. Luke was diagnosed 18 months ago with acute myelogenous leukemia. Last night, after a lengthy, honest, soul-searching conversation with Luke's primary care physician and oncologist, Diana legally changed Luke's code status to DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)."

Ms. Madewell and Ms. Keesee were concerned that this new situation of not being able to revive a patient would be difficult for some of the students, so they contacted Hospice of Midland for advice and help. "Not only did they offer some assistance over the telephone, two Hospice staff members were present during the simulated scenarios to counsel with students who had a difficult time dealing with death," stated Madewell.

Cedie Martin, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager; Lisa Yater, LCSW, Director of Social Services; Tammy Waters, RN; Hilary Blackkletter, LMSW, Clinical Supervisor of Social Services; and Reverend Jan Reed, Director of Spiritual Care and Bereavement spent two 4-hour sessions with the students discussing death and dying situations that they would probably encounter during their career.

In discussing the simulated lab situation of losing a patient, one of the students stated, "My heart hurt for the wife. As the patient was dying, I kept thinking, 'what do I say to the wife?'" Fortunately, the staff of Hospice of Midland were available to discuss similar situations with the students.

Cedie Martin said that one of the services Hospice of Midland provides is counseling with health-care practitioners who have to deal with death on a regular basis. "These situations can cause a great deal of stress for health care professionals. It is important for a good professional to practice self-care and know his/her limits."

Cindy Madewell said, "I was very impressed by the level of professionalism and the genuine caring that these hospice experts demonstrated in their discussions with students. I asked Cedie what we could do for Hospice in return. She explained that she was getting something in return— the satisfaction of helping people that might need it. That was all she wanted."

Madewell continues, "When it comes to patients dying, that is something that can never be 'textbook.' Everyone feels differently, and you have to find out what it all means to you. No matter what the situation, death is never easy, but it is something that most nurses will have to deal with at some point in their professional career. The students told us that they felt if would be important to experience this before they graduated, and we agreed. The experience was not easy for them, and I am so thankful that Hospice of Midland staff were so gracious and willing to help us with this particular simulation."