SIMULATOR TO BENEFIT NURSING EDUCATION AT B-CC

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman College School of Nursing introduced the latest member of its teaching staff on Thursday, June 24, 2004, and he’s no dummy.

He’s an “automated mannequin”, and a state-of-the-art one, as well.

Made possible by a gift, the School of Nursing has acquired a Laerdal SimMan Patient Simulator  for its students to practice under almost life-like conditions.

“Having one of these puts you on the cutting edge,” said Laerdal representative John Hawkins, who showcased the mannequin’s abilities to Bethune-Cookman College administrators as well as School of Nursing faculty. “I’ve seen students at some institutions take more of a personal concern when it comes to treating their `patient.’ It can do nothing but enhance your program.’’

That’s exactly what School of Nursing Dean Dr. Alma Y. Dixon believes. For example, the Florida Board of Nursing now recognizes time spent on simulators as part of clinical training.

“This is a tremendous piece of technology,” Dixon said. “With the time needed for clinical skills becoming harder to come by in hospitals, having “Sim Man” fills a critical need for our student training.’’  

Sim Man does just that – simulates realistic vital signs as well as a wide range of breath, heart and bowel sounds to help students differentiate between normal and abnormal sounds. Using Windows-based technology, different scenarios can be programmed for students to recognize and diagnose.

After staff training, Sim Man will become a regular fixture in the School of Nursing during the 2004-2005 Fall semester.

Acquiring a “Sim Man” was made possible through a donation by Mrs. Margaret McPhillips, a long-time benefactor of the B-CC Nursing program and the College.

“We will always be eternally grateful to someone who has been such a spark plug for the institution,” said B-CC President Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr.

“This is my pleasure,” McPhillips said. “I think [the School of Nursing] needed it and it can make a difference.”  

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Bethune-Cookman is a comprehensive college, which offers degrees in liberal arts as well as professional fields, such as business, education and nursing. A United Methodist Church-affiliated school, the College has a diverse and international student population of more than 2,700 and a solid reputation for academic excellence and community service. As evidence of its outstanding program, the College has been listed in the Templeton Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges and Universities, and it was ranked by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the “Top 50” schools in the nation for black students.  B-CC is one of 10 charter member colleges of Project Pericles, a program to create civic leadership and involvement on its member campuses.  The College will celebrate its 100^th year of founding on October 4, 2004.

For more information, contact our website www.bethune.cookman.edu. 

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