LA CROSSE – Scenic Rivers Wisconsin AHEC and Mayo Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse teamed up to provide a simulation based exploration of nursing and respiratory therapy careers. Students from across the region spent time assessing respirations, intubating and practicing bone drilling.
“I feel like I may want to change my major to respiratory therapy and do more research on the career.”
Practical skills were accompanied by investigation of each career’s educational path, job opportunities and skills and characteristics that are well suited to the work. The simulation lab at Mayo Franciscan Skemp Healthcare mimics a hospital room, while mannequins serve as patients. Students “enjoyed being able to do tasks on mannequins as if it was a real situation”.
These hands on experiences give students a chance to dig deeper into health careers they may be considering. One student shared, “I feel like I may want to change my major to respiratory therapy and do more research on the career.” Assisting students in making good decisions about their future educational path is one of the program’s goals.
A second program focused on physical and occupational therapy is schedule for the spring.