From the Dean

Clinical learning centers with human patient simulators are an exciting addition to the technologies available to faculty as they teach the non-nurse the skills and professional behaviors essential to their becoming competent professionals. The technologies now available to us will actually enable us to transform both classroom and clinical teaching and expectations. Other industries have long recognized the importance of using simulation with trainees before allowing them to “practice” their skills in the real world. The introduction of simulation – from low tech simulation of complex human interactions to high tech simulation of crisis patient situations – will allow us to test and teach our students before they experience these challenging situations in the real world of acute care hospitals and primary care clinics. They will enter the complex world of patient care far better prepared to be a part of the care team and hence enhance the quality of care the provide to “real patients” and enhance the quality of their own learning as they engage in that care because they are better prepared to deal with the basic of what is expected of them as they assume responsibility for clinical care of vulnerable people and interact with other members of the health care team.