At Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, nurses are given the opportunity to enhance their education and skills through the use of a nursing simulation lab. Opened in 2022, the lab features four medical mannequins that accurately mimic human functions such as talking, breathing, and blinking. These mannequins allow nurses to practice and learn from various medical scenarios in a realistic environment.
The nursing education coordinator, Paul Branstad, mentioned that the mannequins can be programmed to simulate rare diseases or complex medical conditions, providing nurses with valuable learning opportunities. Over 13,000 nurses have utilized the simulation lab since its establishment, with the ability to restart simulations when mistakes are made. This allows for continuous learning and improvement of skills.
Intensive Care Unit Nurse Zachary Bernatz shared how the simulation lab has improved his ability to care for patients in critical situations. By practicing on the mannequins, Bernatz felt more confident in handling real-life emergency scenarios leading to better patient outcomes. The simulation lab plays a crucial role in keeping nurses’ skills sharp and preparing them for challenging situations in clinical practice.
Michelle Coy, nursing education specialist, highlighted a successful case where nurses who had practiced a cardiac emergency scenario in the simulation lab were able to save a patient’s life the next day. This demonstrates the impact of simulation training on improving patient care outcomes and enhancing nurses’ clinical skills.
The simulation lab at Mayo Clinic provides real-time feedback to nurses, helping them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills that are valuable in their careers. The experiences gained from the simulation lab have a lasting impact on nurses, enabling them to deliver high-quality care to patients. Mayo Clinic continues to prioritize staff education and training to foster excellence in patient care.