Simmons College
Dotson Simulation Learning Center
Designing a Simulation Learning Lab to
Enhance the Students Experience
Wendy Ouellette MSNc RN CPON
Josephine Atinaja-Faller RN MSN CNS
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Objectives
 Through a needs assessment, identify strategies for
faculty and administrative buy-in.
 Discuss various strategies in building a simulation
lab.
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Project Management
 A project manager was selected and worked in
conjunction with other faculty and Deans of the
College. An architect was hired to consult on the
room planning as well as an audiovisual specialist
team.
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Acquisition of Equipment
 Through a generous donor alumni Phyllis Nickerson
Dotson class of ‘62 and George S Dotson, we were
able to purchase….
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2 Laerdal Mannequins: Sim Man and Sim Baby
Renovated an existing nursing skills lab
State of the art Control Room
Video camera
Hospital beds and stretchers
Zoll Defibrillator
IV Pump rentals
Two debriefing plasma monitors
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Simulation in Numbers
 Spring and Summer 2009:
 Total Number of Students: 780
 Cumulative Hours: 10,680
 Fall 2009:
 Total Number of Students: 468
 Cumulative Hours: 3, 128
 Staff:
 One director/full time faculty
 8 adjunct faculty
 2 Simulation technologists
 Lab coordinator
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Student Reflections
 “I was surprised to see the new set up, and was
pleased with the changes made. I think the way the
sim lab is now set up is more conducive to learning
because it is more realistic.”
 “This was my first time using the new lab and it was
absolutely amazing. I’m jealous of the
underclassmen who have the privilege of using this
lab from the beginning.”
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Timeline
 Fall 2005- Vital SIM, task trainers
 Fall 2008- Acquire Laerdal equipment (SIM MAN & Baby),
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Med/Surg II
Spring 2009- Add Med/Surg I
Summer 2009- Add Pedi, OB, & Fundamentals
Fall 2009- Move into new LAB, Add
Community & Psych
Spring 2010- Add Family Nurse Practitioner Advanced
Health Assessment
To date: all elements of the Undergraduate Curriculum and
one Graduate Course rotate through the simulation lab
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Control Room Picture
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
SimMan
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Debrief
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
SimBaby
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College
Contact Information and Contributors
 Wendy Ouellette BSN RN CPON
 wendy.ouellette@simmons.edu
 Josephine Atinaja-Faller
 Josephine.faller@simmons.edu
 Contributors:
 Victor Tsveybel, RN MS ANP
 Meghan Quigley, BA simulation technologist
 Jamie Traynor, media specialist
Dotson Simulation Learning Center, Simmons College