Simulated emergencies prepare students for real-world shifts
Practical Nursing students at Wrenford Polytechnic are putting their skills to the test in a new series of high-acuity simulation scenarios. The training modules, developed by faculty in the School of Health Sciences and piloted in the Corvid Hall simulation centre, are designed to sharpen acute patient response and critical thinking before students enter their clinical placements.
The new scenarios focus on rapid deterioration, medication errors, and complex wound care. Unlike standard drills, these modules require students to assess multiple patient cues simultaneously and make time-sensitive decisions under pressure.
"We want our students to feel comfortable when things don't go according to plan," said Joanne Pettigrew, a faculty member in the Nursing department. "These simulations give them a safe space to make mistakes, learn from them, and build the confidence they need on the floor."
Students rotate through stations where they interact with standardized patients and high-fidelity mannequins. The simulation centre's technology allows faculty to monitor vital signs, administer simulated medications, and introduce unexpected changes in a patient's condition in real time.
The project is part of an applied research initiative led by the School of Health Sciences. The research team, including faculty members Adwoa Boateng and Marie-Claude Roy, worked closely with students to refine the scenarios based on feedback from previous cohorts and clinical partners.
Maya, Practical Nursing, is in her second term of the program. "In our first term, we learned the basics of assessment," she said. "These new scenarios force us to put everything together. It feels a lot like the pressure we'll face in a hospital."
The research also examines how different simulation pacing affects student performance. Data collected from the pilot will help the school adjust the complexity of scenarios for both full-time and part-time Practical Nursing streams.
The simulation centre, located in Corvid Hall, features multiple exam rooms, a debriefing area, and recording capabilities that allow students and faculty to review sessions for learning and assessment.
The research project is supported by the Research & Innovation office. The findings will be shared with clinical partners and used to update the Practical Nursing curriculum for the 2027–28 academic year.
For more information about the Practical Nursing program, visit the Practical Nursing page.