MEDIA RELEASE — MAY 15, 2026 — R0042
As sounds of an explosion rang through the halls of Brock University’s East Academic buildings, Abigale Phillips sprang into action.
The second-year Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing (BN/MN) student’s instincts — informed by the program’s practical learning — kicked into high gear as she responded to victims scattered about the emergency scene.
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.
Working in teams and wearing personal protective equipment, students rapidly assessed and triaged patients, including high-fidelity mannequins and live actors.
“It made me feel like I was interacting with a real patient who was going through a really stressful situation,” Phillips said. “I’ll 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.”
For second-year BN/MN student Emma Collins, the simulation offered a first-hand look at scenes — and injuries — she is likely to someday experience in the field.
“It was a big culmination of everything that I’ve learned,” she said of the simulation. “I felt like the experience was very good to help prepare me for high-adrenaline, high-stakes situations.”
To enhance the realism of the experience for students, the “code orange” exercise included response from Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and St. Catharines Fire Services.
In one scenario, students transferred a patient experiencing cardiac arrest to a nearby ambulance, mirroring real-world emergency protocols.
Graduate Program Clinical Supervisor Magdalena Dobosiewicz said the exercise gives students valuable hands-on experience in a high-pressure setting — all while in a safe learning environment.
“This training offers students opportunities to test their clinical and critical-thinking skills, which are foundational to nursing education,” said Dobosiewicz.
Following the exercise, students and observers reviewed response decisions, discussed resource allocation and reflected on areas of improvement.
This year’s exercise will be used to develop further training opportunities for students.
“Brock continues to advance simulation education and integrate innovative technologies into nursing preparation. Today’s recorded scenarios will help us develop an immersive 360-degree virtual reality simulation experience,” said Vanessa Silva e Silva, Associate Professor of Nursing and course instructor. “By combining cutting-edge technology with hands-on learning, we are preparing future nurses with confidence, critical thinking and real-world skills they can immediately apply in complex health-care environments.”
Karyn Taplay, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Nursing, says from research to theory to practice, Brock’s teaching experience extends beyond what’s expected.
“In addition to training students, these simulations align with both Vanessa Silva e Silva’s international organ donation research and Assistant Professor Amina Silva’s simulation research, bringing research to life through these experiences,” she says.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
*Maryanne St. Denis, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, Brock University, [email protected] or 905-246-0256
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