PNW’s College of Nursing adds newborn-focused simulation equipment
The College of Nursing at PNW is adding to its state-of-the-art health simulation labs with new specialty equipment for obstetrics and pediatrics.
The College of Nursing at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is adding to its state-of-the-art health simulation labs with new specialty equipment focused on pregnancy, childbirth and newborn health care. These latest training tools will be integrated into the simulation labs in fall 2025 on the Hammond and Westville campuses.
“We are always looking for ways to improve and increase the realism for practice in our nursing program,” says Jamie Kozel, Simulation Lab Coordinator and clinical assistant professor of Nursing. “The new equipment will allow our students to practice and experience birth-related and pediatric care in a very realistic setting.”
Through a generous donation, the university purchased two specialized simulation packages for obstetrics and pediatrics. The obstetrics package includes a wearable cesarean section (C-section) abdomen with realistic female anatomy, a lifelike full-term silicone baby and a lifelike silicone premature baby. The pediatrics purchase includes a pediatric hospital crib.
“Simulation is an indispensable part of undergraduate nursing education,” says Kozel. “It provides a safe environment where students can practice, make mistakes, analyze their errors and improve their skills without the fear of causing harm to actual patients.” Kozel adds that simulation-based learning helps students develop muscle memory for common procedures, increase comfort levels during patient interactions, develop leadership and communication skills and build confidence.
The integration of the new obstetric and pediatric simulation equipment gives students the opportunity to interact with lifelike models of infants like this full-term silicone baby.
At PNW, simulation learning begins in the foundational undergraduate nursing courses and becomes more complex as students progress through the program. Early on, students use task trainers, which are models of various body parts. This allows students to practice basic skills, like inserting a Foley catheter, nasogastric tubes or changing a wound dressing.
As students advance, the simulations become more realistic. Low-fidelity manikins provide basic sounds, like a heartbeat or breathing, and have limited functionality allowing students to practice patient care. High-fidelity manikins are more complex and display vital signs, like pulse and blood pressure, with eye movements and limited sounds, like moaning or saying ‘ouch’, letting students practice more complex patient care techniques.
Our goal is to create a workforce of competent, confident nurses who are prepared to handle the complexities of patient care in the real world.
Jamie Kozel, Simulation Lab Coordinator and clinical assistant professor of Nursing
The integration of the new obstetric and pediatric simulation equipment gives students the opportunity to interact with lifelike models of both premature and full-term infants. Students will gain hands-on experience handling both types of infants, observing key differences and understanding the unique challenges each presents. In addition, the simulation equipment allows students to view and understand the intricacies of a C-section, ensuring they are well prepared for the procedure before encountering it in a clinical setting.
Through a generous donation, the College of Nursing purchased two specialized simulation packages for obstetrics and pediatrics, including this lifelike premature silicone baby.
Each simulation scenario is carefully reviewed and updated by PNW’s simulation coordinator and curriculum teams. Clinical experts are then consulted to ensure the scenarios align with nursing essentials, reflect up-to-date bedside practices and match clinical practice guidelines in Northwest Indiana hospitals.
“Our goal is to create a workforce of competent, confident nurses who are prepared to handle the complexities of patient care in the real world,” says Kozel.
The addition of these specialty manikins and simulation tools is part of PNW’s ongoing commitment to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities and preparing them to meet the demands and various needs of the communities they will serve in the future.