In a COVID-19 environment, Keyano College’s Practical Nursing program adapts to a virtual model

The COVID-19 disruption forced Keyano College to quickly adapt its teaching methods and that was especially true for students of the Practical Nursing program where the faculty was tasked to quickly create virtual learning classes. In nursing, it is critical for a student’s development to have hands-on instruction. However, in a year where physical distancing became essential, the Nursing Department mock trials where instructors were guided by nursing students who tuned in remotely.

Following the virtual simulations, each scenario was discussed, and feedback was provided for what was done well and what could be done better in the future. Nursing Instructor Fatima Legrou had a solution.  She said, “Normally, a laboratory simulation would have the students take turns in various roles while caring for a mock patient in a given patient scenario. Instead, we came up with a novel idea. I would become their hands”.

The students responded well to the feedback and reported these simulations as a successful learning experience. Crystal Rose, Simulation Learning Coordinator said, “Simulations have been a component of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) curriculum for a couple of years, but this was the first time we have added high fidelity simulation into the Practical Nursing (PN) program. We had heard about other schools experimenting with virtual simulation sessions during the spring lockdown and we were interested in giving it a try.”

Debriefing was completed at the end of the session and was comparable to the face-to-face environment. Students were asked what they thought went well along with things that could have been done differently to improve the status of the patient.

During these current COVID-19 restrictions, Keyano College will continue to expand the simulation program in the virtual setting for the upcoming Winter semester. Given the unique conditions, adaptation is essential to keeping the students engaged and allow them to continue their education as the College prepares them for a career in the health care industry.

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