Trainee nurses at The James Cook University Hospital are gaining vital practical placement experience through simulation as part of a ground-breaking training pilot.
Rather than using traditional methods of learning, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s future nurses are using state-of-the-art immersive simulation suites and virtual reality headsets to gain virtual practical working experience in real life hospital ward environments and scenarios.
The 12-week programme has been partly funded through the Northern Enabling Effective Learning Environments team and Health Education England to provide placements for up to 20 student nurses at a time, delivered over six two-week blocks.
High quality simulated learning
The trust’s trainers are using a combination of innovative teaching and assessment methods and strategies to inspire student nurses to apply evidence based practice to clinical settings.
Through this they are encouraged to problem-solve to develop decision making skills and demonstrate effective leadership.
Lindsay Felgate, practice placement facilitator for virtual learning, is responsible for developing the programme which is producing high quality simulated learning experiences and opportunities in a safe learning environment.
The new pilot programme will enable South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop high quality learning experiences. We aim to prepare a future NHS workforce who are highly skilled, innovative in their approach and equipped to practice safely and effectively, ensuring patient safety is paramount.”
Lindsay Felgate
If you would like to learn more about the simulated practice placement, please contact the trust’s education and practice development team by emailing [email protected]