Center for Simulation Innovation - News - 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock /news/tag/center-for-simulation-innovation/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:55:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation Appoints New Director of Simulation /news/2026/03/17/ua-little-rock-center-for-simulation-innovation-appoints-new-director-of-simulation/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:08:14 +0000 /news/?p=93753 As simulation-based learning continues to expand at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing, Judy Staley, assistant professor of nursing, is helping guide the next chapter of the program鈥檚 growth, ensuring ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation Appoints New Director of Simulation

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As simulation-based learning continues to expand at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing, Judy Staley, assistant professor of nursing, is helping guide the next chapter of the program鈥檚 growth, ensuring students gain the hands-on experience needed to strengthen healthcare delivery in communities across Arkansas.

Staley has been named the Director of the Center for Simulation Innovation, a position supported by the. In this role, Staley helps guide the program鈥檚 use of advanced simulation training to strengthen clinical experiences for nursing students and prepare graduates to improve the quality of care in the communities where they practice.

Staley鈥檚 new role begins at an especially significant moment, as the School of Nursing has received continued full approval for its associate degree program from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing through 2030. 

As one of the largest academic programs within the university, the School of Nursing prepares more than 1,000 students each year through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical placements and simulation-based learning. Many of the program鈥檚 graduates go on to practice across Arkansas, helping to meet the state鈥檚 growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. 

鈥淪imulation has consistently stood out as a powerful bridge between theory and practice,鈥 Staley said. 鈥淚t offers a psychologically safe environment where students can make decisions, reflect and grow without risking harm to real patients.鈥

Located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing Education, CSI is a 20-bed, 9,500-square-foot facility designed to replicate real clinical environments. The simulation program continues to grow as new technologies and tools are introduced to better prepare students, backing the belief that simulation saves lives. 

As director of simulation, Staley works to ensure simulation experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum and aligned with program learning outcomes.

鈥淢y vision for simulation centers on innovation, integration and impact,鈥 Staley said. 鈥淏y expanding immersive learning opportunities and intentionally connecting simulation to the curriculum, our team can ensure our students graduate confident, competent and ready to meet the healthcare needs of Arkansas communities and beyond.鈥

Learn more about the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing program at . 

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Dedicates Arkansas鈥檚 First Virtual Reality Lab for Nursing Students /news/2025/10/09/innovation-station/ Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:41:21 +0000 /news/?p=92708 The University of Arkansas at Little Rock celebrated a groundbreaking step forward in nursing education on Sept. 30 with the dedication of the Innovation Station Lab, the first virtual reality ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Dedicates Arkansas鈥檚 First Virtual Reality Lab for Nursing Students

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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock celebrated a groundbreaking step forward in nursing education on Sept. 30 with the dedication of the Innovation Station Lab, the first virtual reality simulation lab in Arkansas dedicated specifically to training nursing students.

The new Innovation Station, located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing, is designed to revolutionize how students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world patient care. Combining state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology with hands-on clinical training, the lab gives students access to realistic, repeatable scenarios that strengthen their clinical skills and judgment.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 nurses must be more than compassionate caregivers,鈥 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淭hey must be clinically sharp, technologically proficient, and ready to adapt in fast-paced healthcare environments. The Innovation Station revolutionizes how our students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world care. This is just one of the ways 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is strengthening the future of healthcare in Arkansas.鈥

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain, a registered nurse and former chair of the School of Nursing, emphasized how simulation-based education is key to addressing Arkansas鈥檚 ongoing nursing shortage.

鈥淪imulation-based education is one of the most effective ways we can prepare students for patient care,鈥 Bain said. 鈥淥ver the past four years, our students have completed more than 114,000 hours of simulation training, supported by $1.26 million in new technology and equipment. The Innovation Station is the next step forward, giving students access to realistic, repeatable clinical scenarios that sharpen judgment and build confidence.鈥

The dedication ceremony drew campus and community leaders as well as alumni and healthcare partners, who explored both the new Innovation Station and the internationally recognized Center for Simulation Innovation. Visitors observed demonstrations of high-fidelity manikins, Echo masks, and other advanced training tools that replicate the sights and sounds of real healthcare environments.

Students also showcased the new virtual reality technology during live demonstrations. Using Oculus headsets, they navigated AI-powered clinical scenarios involving pediatric patients, dehydration cases, postoperative care, and even rare emergency events that students might never encounter during traditional clinical rotations.

鈥淲e have the Oculus VR equipment set up for our class, and we鈥檙e able to come here and pick a scenario,鈥 said Brendon Johnson, a junior nursing student from Cabot. 鈥淚 had a patient who was dehydrated and experiencing abdominal pain. I was able to talk to him, get his vitals, and follow up with his doctor to determine the next stage of care. It gives us a way to see things that would be dangerous if they happened to real patients and to practice handling them safely.鈥

Students also performed CPR demonstrations on new interactive training carts that provide real-time feedback on compression depth, speed, and technique, which will help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students meet certification standards and develop life-saving skills.

For Joanna Hall, director of simulation and a three-time graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 nursing program, the power of simulation lies in its ability to replicate critical moments safely and repeatedly.

鈥淪imulation allows students to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them,鈥 Hall said. 鈥淲e no longer rely on chance for students to encounter critical scenarios during clinical rotations. We can create those experiences on demand. The Innovation Station takes this capability to the next level, ensuring our graduates are confident, capable, and clinically prepared.鈥

Keya McGee, president of the Student Nurses Association, said the new lab will help students approach their careers with more confidence.

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about cool headsets. It鈥檚 about the future of healthcare,鈥 McGee said. 鈥淪imulation gives us the confidence to make decisions under pressure, reflect on our choices, and apply what we learn to real patients. This lab elevates not only the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing, but also healthcare for the millions of Arkansans we will serve.鈥

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus Jussus Sanchez, a 2014 graduate and certified registered nurse anesthetist at 糖心Vlog传媒MS, said the new lab represents a major leap forward in training.

鈥淢y time as a student was stressful but rewarding, and I came out well prepared,鈥 Sanchez said. 鈥淣ow, with augmented reality, you鈥檙e more one-on-one with your clinicals. It results in a more focused approach. It will help nurses build confidence, learn how to approach patients, and experience things that a manikin alone can鈥檛 represent.鈥

As the open house concluded, Provost Bain invited guests to tour the facilities and see firsthand how the Innovation Station and are reshaping nursing education across Arkansas.

Bain said the dedication of the Innovation Station is more than an investment in technology; it鈥檚 an investment in the health of Arkansas.

鈥淚t ensures our students are ready to deliver excellent care, whether in hospitals, clinics, or rural health centers,鈥 Bain said. 鈥淢ost importantly, it鈥檚 a step forward in addressing the critical nursing shortage facing our state.鈥

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Walker Foundation Donates $1.5 Million to Endow 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing Center for Simulation Innovation Director Position /news/2025/03/05/walker-foundation-nursing-endowment/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:41:21 +0000 /news/?p=90404 Amid a growing national shortage of nurses, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $1.5 million donation from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to create ... Walker Foundation Donates $1.5 Million to Endow 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing Center for Simulation Innovation Director Position

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Amid a growing national shortage of nurses, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $1.5 million donation from the to create an endowed directorship for the School of Nursing鈥檚 Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI). This generous gift will provide additional resources to support nursing education and help strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals in Arkansas.

The endowment of the Willard and Pat Walker Director of the Center for Simulation Innovation ensures that the CSI will remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence in clinical education. 

The Center for Simulation Innovation delivers immersive healthcare simulation training to approximately 500 undergraduate nursing students each year and was recognized with the 2023 Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, making it the only lab in Arkansas to have this recognition. Collectively, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students spend about 30,000 hours in the lab each year.

“The Willard and Pat Walker Foundation has a long history of support for our School of Nursing that has enabled us to have a meaningful impact on healthcare in Arkansas by equipping our students with the support, skills, and resources they need to excel,鈥 Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淭his latest gift will not only strengthen our ability to educate and train the next generation of nurses but also empower us to embrace cutting-edge advancements in the field.鈥

When Bain joined the nursing faculty in 1983, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock had a small two-year nursing program that admitted about 60 students a year. Times have certainly changed with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 addition of the LPN-to-RN program, Paramedic-to-RN program, and RN-to-BSN online program. Now with about 1,000 nursing majors enrolled, it’s the university’s largest academic program. 

The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation prioritizes initiatives in Arkansas that will benefit the most from its support while honoring the legacy of Pat and Willard Walker. Reflecting this generosity and continued dedication to nursing education, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock named the Willard and Pat Walker Center for Nursing Education in their honor.

Joanna Hall, director of the Center of Simulation Innovation, assists 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students who received the Pat Walker Scholarship during a simulation in the Center for Simulation Innovation. Photo by Benjamin Krain.
Joanna Hall, director of the Center of Simulation Innovation, assists 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students who received the Pat Walker Scholarship during a simulation in the Center for Simulation Innovation. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

“Our investment in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 nursing program is making a real difference, and we鈥檙e proud to continue supporting its success,鈥 said Mandy Macke, executive director and vice chairman of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. 鈥淭he Center for Simulation Innovation is equipping future nurses with the skills they need to provide quality care, ultimately increasing access to high-quality healthcare across Arkansas. This endowed directorship strengthens our shared commitment to improving health outcomes for our communities.”

Joanna Hall, director of the Center of Simulation Innovation and assistant professor of nursing, is a former Willard and Pat Walker endowed scholarship recipient at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and credits the foundation for its lasting impact on healthcare education in Arkansas.

“The Walkers have been amazing supporters of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students,” Hall said. “As a two-time Walker Scholar, it is especially meaningful to now serve in a  director position the Walker Foundation has endowed at my alma mater. This generous gift recognizes the exceptional training our simulation faculty provide and helps us retain top faculty, ensuring our Center for Simulation Innovation and School of Nursing continue to prepare highly qualified, competent, and safe nurses to care for our Arkansas communities.鈥

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Nursing has significantly enhanced its programs in recent years, consistently achieving outstanding NCLEX exam pass rates and making major investments in state-of-the-art training technology. The Center for Simulation Innovation now features a robust suite of cutting-edge equipment, including a shaken baby simulator, EchoMasks, MetaQuest VR headsets, and pediatric manikins, providing students with an advanced, hands-on learning experience and preparing them for a myriad of experiences in the healthcare field. 

Learn more about the nursing program at .

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Professor and Former Student Collaborate on Film Depicting Heartfelt Conversation on Alzheimer’s /news/2024/05/15/film-festival/ Wed, 15 May 2024 14:18:59 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=87573 In a heartfelt exploration of love and loss, a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty member and alumnus have joined forces to create a compelling short film inspired by the professor鈥檚 own ... Professor and Former Student Collaborate on Film Depicting Heartfelt Conversation on Alzheimer’s

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In a heartfelt exploration of love and loss, a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty member and alumnus have joined forces to create a compelling short film inspired by the professor鈥檚 own experience with his mother鈥檚 battle with Alzheimer’s.

The film, 鈥淭he Forms of Things Unknown,鈥 was written by Frank Thurmond, a faculty member in the Department of English at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and directed by Dylan Pojar-Weatherly, a former student of Thurmond’s who graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2022 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mass communication.

鈥淔or me, it was an opportunity to work with a student whose filmmaking I really admired and who I knew understood the subject matter,鈥 Thurmond said. 鈥淎t the same time, I鈥檓 gratified to give Dylan a chance to showcase more of his work. I hope this will propel his career forward. That is ultimately what it鈥檚 all about as a teacher. You want to inspire students to develop their craft and help them move forward in their career.鈥

The 10-minute film will debut during the Made in Arkansas Film Festival. It will be shown at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Ron Robinson Theatre. for the film festival are $20.

鈥淚 am really proud of the piece,鈥 Pojar-Weatherly said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very genuine story, and it鈥檚 definitely different from other projects I鈥檝e worked on before.鈥

The collaboration between Thurmond and Pojar-Weatherly started during the spring 2022 semester. Pojar-Weatherly, then a senior at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, was taking Thurmond鈥檚 screenwriting class when he asked his professor if he would share some of his own screenplays with the class.

鈥淚t meant a lot to me that Dylan was curious about my work,鈥 Thurmond said. 鈥淚 brought in a script for a short film about my experience with my late mother, who had Alzheimer鈥檚. The reason I came back to Arkansas in 2009 was to care for her.鈥

Pojar-Weatherly felt an immediate connection with Thurmond鈥檚 script. At the time, he was working on his capstone project, a short film called 鈥溾 that highlights a daughter struggling to care for her father who has Alzheimer鈥檚. This film also premiered during the Made in Arkansas Film Festival in 2023.

鈥淚 remember reading the script for the first time, and I remember connecting with the script right away,鈥 Pojar-Weatherly said. 鈥淚 was honored that Mr. Thurmond asked me to be a part of the project. Alzheimer鈥檚 is something I am familiar with through my grandparents.鈥

The film, which was filmed in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing鈥檚 Center for Simulation Innovation, delves into the emotional journey of Thurmond鈥檚 final conversation with his mother, capturing the poignant moments of connection and reflection amidst the shadows of the terrible disease.

鈥淭he way that Dylan shot the film and the way the actors brought the story to life captures my final moments with my mother on her deathbed,鈥 Thurmond said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be an overwhelmingly emotional experience for me. The theme of it is so universal. So many people have some connection with Alzheimer鈥檚, dementia, and caregiving. It鈥檚 something that many audience members will relate to.鈥

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Grant from Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust to Benefit Center for Simulation Innovation /news/2024/05/07/roy-christine-sturgis-charitable-trust/ Tue, 07 May 2024 12:53:07 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=85817 Nursing students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will receive a more realistic nursing education in the Center for Simulation Innovation thanks to a grant from the Roy ... Grant from Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust to Benefit Center for Simulation Innovation

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Nursing students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will receive a more realistic nursing education in the Center for Simulation Innovation thanks to a grant from the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust.

The Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust has awarded a grant of $25,000 to the University of Arkansas Foundation for the Center for Simulation Innovation in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing. The grant will provide funding for the Center for Simulation Innovation to purchase EchoMasks to diversify the educational experience for nursing students.

鈥淲e are very excited to get this grant to add more reality to our Center for Simulation Innovation student-learning experiences,鈥 said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing. 鈥淲e are grateful to the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust for supporting the education of our nursing students. Joanna Hall wrote this grant with the help of training through Hanover, and we are thankful for the opportunity she had to learn through Hanover.鈥

The Center for Simulation Innovation uses several manikins to simulate patients in learning scenarios. These manikins normally resemble a white, middle-aged adult male and are not fully representative of the ages, genders, races, and ethnicities of the patient population in Arkansas.

EchoMasks are designed to enhance the fidelity of simulators by increasing the level of realism learners experience. EchoMasks can transform a manikin to look like patients in a wide range of ages, genders, and skin tones without compromising the functionality of the manikin.

鈥淭he grant will help us make our manikin population more reflective of the patient populations our students will be caring for,鈥 said Joanna Hall, director of simulation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult for students to fully engage in a simulation when the manikin doesn鈥檛 resemble the patient described in the report. The EchoMasks will make the simulation experience far more realistic for our students. This is a prime example of how we can make healthcare more equitable in Arkansas.鈥

The Center for Simulation Innovation serves approximately 500 undergraduate nursing students per year and received international recognition for excellence in simulation education this year. The center received the 2023 Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award from the (INACSL), an association dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation.

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Williams Honored by Great 100 Nurses Foundation /news/2023/11/30/williams-100-nurses/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:18:25 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=86167 Anna Williams, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock assistant professor of nursing, has been named a 2023 Honoree of The Great 100 Nurses Foundation. The Great 100 Nurses Award recipients are chosen based ... Williams Honored by Great 100 Nurses Foundation

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Anna Williams, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock assistant professor of nursing, has been named a 2023 Honoree of The Great 100 Nurses Foundation.

recipients are chosen based on their exemplification of humanitarian values, their contributions to the nursing profession, and their mentoring of others. Williams and her fellow 2023 award winners were celebrated on Oct. 2 during a ceremony at Embassy Suites Hotel in Little Rock.

鈥淚 feel very honored to receive this award,鈥 said Williams. 鈥淚 received the nomination from a prior colleague/mentor of mine, and that meant a great deal to me.鈥

Williams has been a registered nurse for 10 years. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Arkansas State University in 2013 and then from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences  with her Master of Science in Nursing degree  in 2019. Her nursing background is in women’s health, high-risk labor and delivery, and high-risk antepartum.

鈥淣ursing wasn’t always my first choice,鈥 Williams said. 鈥淚 thought I wanted to be a physical therapist, but I went to shadow one and saw that I wouldn’t be with the patients as much as I wanted to be. That is why I chose nursing! I knew that I would get to spend time with patients caring for them in their time of need.鈥

Williams began her nursing education journey in 2018 as an adjunct clinical instructor, after which she became a full-time nursing instructor at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She holds an NLN Certified Nurse Educator credential and teaches mental health and obstetrical nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, as well as working heavily in the Center for Simulation Innovation.

鈥淪he is often the idea person behind many new learning activities and curriculum improvements, particularly in the area of simulation,鈥 said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing. 鈥淪he is an expert in simulation as a learning modality and is often appointed as the simulation lead for a course. She has the technological knowledge to run the equipment and also a background in simulation pedagogical knowledge that helped lead our Center for Simulation Innovation to win the prestigious INACSL Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award this year.鈥

Williams also serves as the chair of the School of Nursing Curriculum Committee and as the secretary of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services.

鈥淎nna is a stand-out faculty member for our school,鈥 Davidson said. 鈥淪he works tirelessly to do the best job possible for our students and her colleagues.鈥

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation Receives International Recognition /news/2023/06/14/simulation-champion/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:14:17 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=85266 The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation in the School of Nursing has been internationally recognized for excellence in nursing simulation education. The Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI) has ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation Receives International Recognition

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The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation in the School of Nursing has been internationally recognized for excellence in nursing simulation education.

The Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI) has received the 2023 Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award from the (INACSL), an association dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation.

Nursing faculty members Joanna Hall, director of simulation, and SarahBeth Phillips, assistant clinical professor, received the award on behalf of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock CSI team during the 2023 INACSL Annual Conference held June 14-17 in Providence, Rhode Island.

This award is given in recognition of the high regard the simulation team has earned from their peers, colleagues, and others who submitted praise-filled comments and a strong letter of support with their INACSL nomination. Previous winners include the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery in Pakistan, Duke University School of Nursing, Villanova University School of Nursing, and the University of Central Florida College of Nursing.

鈥淚t is indeed an accomplishment to be singled out by the people you work with, and we celebrate this important milestone with you,鈥 said Gayle Stegall, chair of the INACSL Awards Sub Committee. 鈥淲e are proud of your unique contributions for our simulation community of practice and for the ways you influence and spearhead excellence in simulation.鈥

The team will also have their name, photo, and a summary of their outstanding contributions to the simulation practice community published in an awards presentation made by the president at the conference and in print in the INACSL online newsletter and on the Hall of Honor section of the organization’s website.

Provost Ann Bain wrote the letter of support bolstering the CSI team nomination packet from Hall.

鈥淚n recent years, with new leadership and a complete culture shift, the trajectory of CSI has taken sharp upward turns,鈥 Bain wrote. 鈥淭his team of dedicated CSI faculty have dramatically increased the impact of simulation not only within the School of Nursing but across the campus community as well. Using data to drive program improvement, impact, and commitment to simulation are evident with this team leading students in over 30,000 hours in CSI in 2022.鈥

As the largest academic program on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus, the School of Nursing and CSI serve approximately 500 undergraduate nursing students, ensuring that every student gets immersive simulation experiences in every course throughout the nursing program.

鈥淥ver the last five years, this team has grown into a beacon of excellence, serving as a shining star on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus,鈥 Hall said. 鈥淭his award is a testament to all the amazing things we are doing in our simulation center. CSI would be nothing without the full support and complete buy-in of our simulation faculty and staff. Hands down, it is our team that makes us so special.鈥

From development of new scenarios to commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the CSI team has a proven track record of innovation, which includes the program鈥檚 first-ever transgender scenario, virtual reality scenarios, and a unique multi-patient scenario that Hall says is 鈥渦nlike any simulation experience I have seen in my career.鈥

鈥淔urther evidence of innovation, creativity, and collaboration include a partnership with the American Sign Language department for interpreter-based scenarios, implementation of EchoMask skins to ensure manikins are representative of diverse patient populations, implementation of a standardized simulation rubric to enhance program assessment, and creation of an electronic health record charting system for in-scenario student use,鈥 Hall said.

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Unveils New Advanced Pediatric Manikin for Nursing /news/2023/03/16/charlie/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:46:22 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=84690 The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing has welcomed a special addition to the Center for Simulation Innovation, a new pediatric manikin that will help nursing students and professionals train ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Unveils New Advanced Pediatric Manikin for Nursing

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The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing has welcomed a special addition to the Center for Simulation Innovation, a new pediatric manikin that will help nursing students and professionals train for a variety of health care scenarios involving young children. 

Worth about $85,000, this high-fidelity pediatric manikin, CAE Aria, represents a 7-year-old child and prepares students and practicing professionals for the moments that count. Training with CAE Aria reduces medical errors, improves performance, and enhances pediatric patient care.

The School of Nursing had to wait almost as long as a real-life pregnancy, approximately nine months, for the pediatric manikin to arrive due to supply chain issues, so the School of Nursing held a celebration to announce the 鈥渂irth鈥 of Charlie, complete with a birth certificate and a family of pediatric manikin siblings.

鈥淲e pulled all the pediatric manikins today to celebrate, and they鈥檝e all got these cute little stickers that say proud big brothers and proud big sisters,鈥 said Joanna Hall, director of simulation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his is a big event for us. This has been years in the making. We are really trying not only to put simulation on the map for our Simulation Center but to give our students a unique experience here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock that they鈥檙e not going to get anywhere else in the state.鈥

Charlie will be used in a variety of training scenarios from oxygenation issues such as asthma or anaphylaxis to infection, perfusion, or neurological issues. Simulation staff can change Charlie to meet a wide range of simulation training needs. They can change the manikin vital signs, including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respirations, and pulse oximetry. Charlie can also bleed, urinate, have seizures, and the eyes can change to appear bloodshot, jaundiced, or numerous other presentations.

鈥淭he options for this manikin are endless,鈥 Hall said. 鈥淭his manikin looks infinitely more realistic than many of the other similar, lower fidelity manikins we currently have. In addition to looks, this new peds manikin feels real with silicone skin, compared to the plastic skin of our older pediatric manikins.  Beyond appearance and realism, the technology our new peds manikin has is night and day better than our older peds manikins. Charlie is completely wireless which adds to the realism of the experience and is completely run off a Microsoft Surface tablet, which can change every aspect of the manikin function and presentation from vital signs and other physiological changes to age-appropriate voice responses.鈥

Charlie is very verbal and has a lot to say. The manikin communicates many phrases from 鈥淚 want my mommy,鈥 to 鈥淥uch!鈥 to 鈥淚t felt like somebody was poking me with a stick.鈥 Charlie鈥檚 communication skills help nursing students know how the patients react to different situations.

Ashley Easter, a nursing faculty adjunct, called the new manikin an exciting and cool addition to the simulation center.

鈥淭his manikin gives the students a good learning experience,鈥 Easter said. 鈥淭he other manikins are quiet, but this manikin can talk to you and tell you if it鈥檚 in pain. I like the fact that it can change genders, talk to us, and feels so real. We have many opportunities for the students to practice procedures like giving an injection, checking its pulse, and more.鈥

The School of Nursing received more than 30 suggestions for potential names for the manikin via Facebook. After the faculty narrowed it down to four names, nursing students voted for the winner. The other three finalists included Riley, Peyton, and Taylor.

Center for Simulation Innovation staff demonstrate the functionality of a new automated, pediatric manikin in the Simulation Lab. Photo by Benjamin Krain.
Center for Simulation Innovation staff demonstrate the functionality of a new automated, pediatric manikin in the Simulation Lab. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

鈥淥ur faculty have named the manikins in the past, but we wanted this to be more of an experience and a way to get our students and the community involved,鈥 Hall said.

Paula Rocha, a senior nursing major from Little Rock, is the person who suggested the winning name of Charlie after her daughter.

鈥淚 am so excited for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students,鈥 Rocha said. 鈥淭hey get to experience this incredible technology that will turn them into safe, amazing nurses. I originally thought of the name 鈥楥harlie鈥 for the manikin because it is gender neutral and my 3-year-old is named Charlie. Charlie keeps us on our toes. She is my wild child, much like the manikins keep nursing students on their toes in sim. I think it鈥檚 the perfect fit for a pediatric simulation.鈥

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