{"id":109739,"date":"2026-05-15T16:56:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T20:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=109739"},"modified":"2026-05-20T09:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:57:37","slug":"disaster-simulation-readies-nursing-students-for-careers-on-the-front-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/05\/disaster-simulation-readies-nursing-students-for-careers-on-the-front-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Disaster simulation readies Nursing students for careers on the front line"},"content":{"rendered":"

As sounds of an explosion rang through the halls of Brock University\u2019s East Academic buildings, Abigale Phillips sprang into action.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second-year Bachelor of Nursing\/Master of Nursing (BN\/MN) student\u2019s instincts \u2014 informed by the program\u2019s practical learning \u2014 kicked into high gear as she responded to victims scattered about the emergency scene.<\/p>\n

Phillips was one of 30 BN\/MN students who put their clinical decision-making skills to the test on Friday, May 15 during a disaster simulation training exercise staged to resemble the aftermath of an explosion in a hospital parking lot.<\/p>\n

Working in teams and wearing personal protective equipment, students rapidly assessed and triaged patients, including high-fidelity mannequins and live actors.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt made me feel like I was interacting with a real patient who was going through a really stressful situation,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cI\u2019ll be going into emergency services for placement this semester, so this training is very applicable. Although this is a disaster situation, any of these patients could be coming into emergency services any day presenting in a similar way.\u201d<\/p>\n

For second-year BN\/MN student Emma Collins, the simulation offered a first-hand look at scenes \u2014 and injuries \u2014 she is likely to someday experience in the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a big culmination of everything that I’ve learned,\u201d she said of the simulation. \u201cI felt like the experience was very good to help prepare me for high-adrenaline, high-stakes situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

To enhance the realism of the experience for students, the \u201ccode orange\u201d exercise included response from Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and\u00a0St. Catharines Fire\u00a0Services.<\/p>\n

In one scenario, students transferred a patient experiencing cardiac arrest to a nearby ambulance, mirroring real-world emergency protocols.<\/p>\n

Graduate Program Clinical Supervisor Magdalena Dobosiewicz said the exercise gives students valuable hands-on experience in a high-pressure setting \u2014 all while in a safe learning environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis training offers students opportunities to test their clinical and critical-thinking skills, which are foundational to nursing education,\u201d said Dobosiewicz.<\/p>\n

Following the exercise, students and observers reviewed response decisions, discussed resource allocation and reflected on areas of improvement.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s exercise will be used to develop further training opportunities for students.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrock continues to advance simulation education and integrate innovative technologies into nursing preparation. Today\u2019s recorded scenarios will help us develop an immersive 360-degree virtual reality simulation experience,\u201d\u00a0said Vanessa Silva e Silva, Associate Professor of Nursing and course instructor. \u201cBy combining\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0technology with hands-on learning, we are preparing future nurses with confidence, critical thinking and real-world skills they can\u00a0immediately\u00a0apply in complex health-care environments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karyn Taplay, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Nursing, says from research to theory to practice, Brock\u2019s teaching experience extends beyond what’s expected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to training students, these simulations align with both Vanessa Silva e Silva\u2019s international organ donation research and Assistant Professor Amina Silva\u2019s simulation research, bringing research to life through these experiences,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\t