As the first students in Eastern’s new bachelor’s degree in nursing take prerequisite classes and other academic coursework, the University and its Hartford HealthCare partners continue to build the program behind the scenes. In remodeled space on campus in Goddard Hall, students will be using new simulation labs to learn nursing skills with instructional equipment that includes a virtual dissection table, “high fidelity” medical manikins, hospital beds and more.

Over time, students will use the facilities to simulate and learn a range of nursing skills, including setting up an IV, taking vital signs, changing sterile dressings, administering medications and other patient care.

Completed by Eastern’s in-house construction crew of carpenters, plumbers and electricians, the new labs include a simulated maternity room (Room 124), adult care facility (Room 125) and doctor’s office (Room 128). Two other rooms in Goddard Hall were also renovated: one as the new anatomy classroom and the other to be used for EMT training and other health sciences courses, with new training tables, podium, projector and screen.

In Room 128, a doctor’s exam table will allow students to learn vital health assessment skills such as completing a neurological exam as well as ear, nose and throat exams. In Room 125, “Hal,” the program’s high-fidelity manikin, has a pulse, can “breathe” and allows students to practice adult patient skills. The room is also equipped with two patient beds, computer monitors and oxygen hookups. Room 124 gives students experiences in maternity and pediatric care; it also is equipped with two patient beds.

“The Health Sciences and Nursing Department is delighted with the new instructional spaces the University has constructed for use by our students and faculty,” said Yaw Nsiah, department chair.

“In addition to students in our nursing program, other health sciences and EMT students will benefit from the dedicated spaces and the range of instructional equipment we now have at our fingertips. In combination with the simulation lab being created at Windham Hospital by our wonderful partners at Hartford HealthCare, we will be able to give students high-quality hands-on experiences to prepare them for clinical success.”

To provide Eastern students with additional practical experience, Hartford HealthCare is constructing a 6,700-square foot simulation lab at Windham Hospital. The space will include an OB-GYN room complete with infant and adult manikins to simulate live births, as well as other simulation spaces.

“I have worked for more than 20 years with many partners — hospitals, military police and others — and I may be most excited about this partnership with Eastern,” said Stephen Donahue, director of operations for Hartford HealthCare’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation. “This is exactly what the eastern Connecticut region needed. It helps local residents and it helps Hartford HealthCare serve the local community.”