Achi news desk-
In Alberta, traditional nursing education is getting a high-tech makeover thanks to life-like models like Alex at Bow Valley College’s simulation lab.
These models, which have breathing, blinking and talking capabilities, are shaping the future of nursing education.
Bow Valley College is at the forefront of this innovation, using these advanced models to prepare practical nursing students for real-life scenarios at the patient’s bedside.
Vacancies for licensed practical nurses have nearly tripled in just two years, according to Statistics Canada. But colleges and universities are adapting to provide adequate training opportunities for students.
The college incorporates various teaching methods, including simulation labs, virtual reality sets, and AI-enabled models, to enrich the learning experience.
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This comprehensive approach has been beneficial for students like Samantha Myles, who credits the combination of personalized learning and technology with boosting her confidence as she transitions from student to nurse.
Alex is an AI-enabled model in Bow Valley’s Practical Nursing program.
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“It’s a safe, risk-free environment to learn,” Myles said. “It calms your anxiety.”
Bow Valley College is leading the digital revolution in nursing education by replacing up to 30 percent of clinical hours with simulation labs and virtual reality.
This program, the largest of its kind in Canada, ensures that future nurses are well prepared to meet the demands of a technology-driven healthcare environment.
When the college introduced the VR platform after winning a research grant with ICOM Productions, students went from assessing healthy classmates and waiting for patients with conditions in clinical settings to learning to immerse themselves in the simulation environment.
“Once these nurses enter the workforce, they’re just using technology,” said Clare Howland, Chair of the Clinical and Simulation Program at Bow Valley College. “They will use electronic health records, electronic medical carts, apps on phones and more.”
Noting the shortage of nurses across the state, Howland also says there is less opportunity for new nurses to get mentors, and find placements to get the right amount of clinical hours needed to graduate. That’s where technology fills the gap, and program leaders say they hope their methods will be adopted across Canada.
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