Patient Simulator Gives Nurses Hands-on Educational Opportunities
Practice makes perfect, so VNA Care Network & Hospice's nurses hone their skills on a new member of the team, Nursing Anne.
This life-size mannequin breaths and speaks. She has respiratory, heart, and bowel sounds and pulses can be felt. Anne can be programmed to
simulate numerous situations that nurses face on home visits including wounds and IV therapy.
VNA Care Network & Hospice is the first Visiting Nurse Association in Massachusetts using this technology from Laerdal Medical to train staff.
"There's only so much you can learn from a book," said Scott Carignan, RN, VNA Care Network's education program coordinator. "This simulator allows nurses to upgrade their skills in a hands-on classroom environment."
Nikki Congero, RN, loved using the simulator in her training. "It really helps develop your skills...(and) felt more like what it could be like in real life. It's an excellent teaching tool."
Donations and grants allow VNA Care Network to invest in a wide range of technology. Nursing Anne was purchased with funds from a grant from the the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration.
To support VNA Care Network's health care technology initiatives, see the How You Can Help section of this web site to make a gift on-line or via mail.
Posted: March 30, 2006