What exactly is lab sims?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hi everyone. My first clinical day is scheduled for tomorrow and it's going to be a lab sim. What exactly is a lab sim? My instructor didn't explain anything, she just gave the class a copy of our clinical schedule so it's left some of us confused. Thanks.

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Specializes in Trauma | Surgical ICU.

Simulation lab is a real-life scenario done in a controlled environment with simulation dolls, computer-aided materials or just by student/teacher. It could be a patient/nurse scenario or just to brush up with nursing skills.

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Specializes in school nursing; pediatrics.

On lab days you usually rotate through different stations. They can have stations where you work on the skills you are learning in the particular block/semester you are in. For example, you can have a lab day on suctioning or inserting IVs. You will be given supplies and there are "sim dummies" that you practice on. These dummies actually have vitals and breath sounds (some can deliver a baby and are hooked up to fetal monitors - you will use them during your OB block).

Also, there are stations where you are given a printed scenario (patient case, labs, meds, dx, etc) and you have to do some worksheets related to the case. For example, you may be asked to list nursing dx or possible complications to watch out for or which labs are abnormal and what they are indicative of. The scenario will relate to whatever block/semester you are in.

Hope that helps some.

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Wow, sim dummies delivery babies! How exciting!!!

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Not all sim dummies are like that. Ours just sit there and have their mouth open

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Im working on my first care plan can anyone help. The patient seems to be having a signs of a stroke.

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