Zombie Uprising Helps Nurse Educators’ BRAINS at Drexel

August 15, 2011

Nursing education professionals from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at Drexel for the first day of a week-long certificate program in clinical simulation at the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

They expected a classroom workshop in the use of manikins and standardized patients (actors tasked with portraying a patient to aid hands-on and interpersonal training for students). Little did they know, something more sinister was lurking in body bags in the very next room.

An hour into the morning session, program organizer Carol Okupniak and simulation coordinator John Cornele interrupted with news of a breaking emergency: An outbreak of the highly infectious viral agent Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome (as described by the CDC) had taken hold in Philadelphia.

Their goal was to give the participants the experience of their students’ perspective on simulation scenarios, by throwing them directly into one. When participants noted that they felt underprepared to handle this emergency – having no idea what they were in for with Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome – that became a learning point, that preparing students prior to clinical simulation is key.

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