FLORENCE – Senior-level students in the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama will take part in a multi-patient simulation with medical residents from the North Alabama Medical Center.
Nursing students will care for up to four patients in the state-of-the-art simulation center in Harrison Hall, while the residents play the role of attending physician by prescribing treatments and medication for the admitted patients.
“The ACONHP and NAMC Internal Medicine Resident collaboration will be transformational,” said Dr. Will Brewer, the Director of the Simulation Center. “Having the skills to work with other professionals in the healthcare team is essential, and our students will get this experience first-hand and be exceptionally prepared for entry into professional nursing. Both sets of students will apply the pillars of interpersonal collaboration, which are learning about, with, and from one another. This collaboration is just another testament to the commitment we have to graduating clinicians that are grounded in theory, research, and clinical excellence.”
All senior-level nursing students will have an opportunity to interact with the residents during the simulation. Meanwhile, nursing faculty and physician educators will provide guidance to the medical students.
“We are very excited about the collaboration between UNA nursing and NAMC residents,” said Dr. Clarissa Hall, Undergraduate Department Chair. “This is a great opportunity to build mutual trust, enhance interpersonal communication, and develop a team atmosphere. These interpersonal collaborations in the simulation settings will lead to positive patient outcomes in the healthcare settings.”
Before the simulation, nursing faculty and physician educators met to plan the experience that is the first of its kind in program history. After the simulation is completed, nursing students and medical residents will meet to discuss the simulation activities, which adds another collaborative layer to the process.
“Senior nursing students will care for multiple patients while collaborating with the medical residents from NAMC
and UNA’s first respiratory therapy faculty member,” said Dr. Tera Kirkman, Interim Dean of the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. “Evidence shows that these types of team-based collaborative experiences will improve patient outcomes. It will also enrich the educational experiences of both student groups. The benefits of interpersonal collaborative experiences are so substantial that our accrediting body has incorporated them into its accreditation standards.”
Based on the success of this simulation and its benefits to both nursing students and medical residents, Kirkman said she believes future collaborations with NAMC would be welcome.
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