The TWU Wellness Fair hosted by First Year TWU Nursing Students and the TWU Wellness Centre was held this year in the TWU Atrium on Thursday, April 1, 2010. The First Year nursing students had the opportunity to interact with members of the TWU Community through four different stations: Heart Health, Lung Health, Wellness and Stress. However, the students also had one extra station this year, where they were able to interact with future members of the TWU – School of Nursing. The Sim Family attended as special guests this year with Mom - 'Nursing Anne', 'Nursing Kid', and 'Nursing Baby' TM – Laerdal.
Faith Richardson, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Course Leader for the First Year Nursing students hosting the Wellness Fair stated, "I was thrilled to see how this generation of nursing students so easily picked up the 'techie' know-how to operate the SIMs. They immediately launched into learning from the SIMs, trialing out the various ill health effects to assess." Richardson teaches the first year nursing students Health Assessment and the combination of their real experiences during their assessments of the participating TWU community members along with their first introduction to the SIM‘s was a highlight for this year‘s Wellness Fair.
"It is amazing how quickly the students learn and in turn teach their peers how to manage the Sim Mannequins," stated Trevor Hunter, Sales Representative/District Manager for Laerdal Canada, manufacturer and distributor of the 'Nursing Anne', 'Nursing Kid',and 'Nursing Baby'. Hunter 'accompanied‘ the Sim Family at the TWU Wellness Fair and within minutes of having 'Nursing Anne' ready for visitors; he was giving the students an overview of the simulation features available through the use of the remote control. These features include heart sounds, blood pressure, pulse, lung sounds, bowel sounds and several 'canned‘ sounds such as coughing, moaning, and a few other 'not so pleasant sounds.‘ He also introduced the wireless microphone available for students to play the role of the patient – 'Nursing Anne'.
Throughout the morning and afternoon, students were taking turns assessing, 'reprogramming‘ and playing the role of patient. "Most nursing schools within British Columbia have some form of simulation mannequin avail-able within their programs for student learning," stated Hunter, "We will be working hard with TWU – School of Nursing to provide a valu-able and vital learning tool."
"Mom, come and listen to this lung sound," stated a student as she introduced her mom to Nursing Anne, "This is an example of crackles!" Another student introduced her boyfriend to Nursing Anne and within minutes she was showing him how to take her blood pressure and then the student had her boyfriend take Nursing Anne‘s blood pressure himself. "This type of mannequin is an essential need for our education," stated another first year nursing student, "And they are also very awe-some!"
"Simulation provides an opportunity for students to be better prepared and more confident with their knowl-edge and skills," stated Michele Regehr, TWU Campus Nurse and co-host of the Wellness Fair from the Wellness Centre, "And when students are prepared this way, they are better prepared for their clinical practice settings." Regehr participates with first year nursing students in the Wellness Fair each year as well as works with fourth year nursing students during their capstone Community experience with a final project – The TWU Flu Clinic, also held for the TWU Community.
During the Wellness Fair, a Sim Man Piggy Bank, wonderfully created and donated by Vincent Richardson (Faith Richardson‘s husband), was available for those who wished to drop in their change. At the end of the event, twoonies, loonies, quarters, dimes, nickels and lots and lots of pennies were counted for a total donation of just over $30.00. All donations were greatly appreciated and the amount has been added to the donations received to date on the Sim Family Project page.
Many family members and friends also attended the Wellness Fair and their participation was greatly appreciated throughout the four health stations as well as their interest and interaction with the Sim Family Project. We value the support of the TWU community and the family and friends of each of our students.
To all, Thank You!
Written by Monica Wutzke
Originally posted at TWU Scholarship Update