At Imperial Valley College, the mission is clear: to provide quality healthcare education that empowers students to excel in their careers. The college is dedicated to equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills they need to succeed.

Imperial Valley College was faced with the challenge of many students struggling to engage fully during simulation labs, which are critical for developing practical skills. “In the past, students seated in the front could see what the instructor was demonstrating, while those in the back missed crucial visual information,” shared Dr. Daniel Ortiz, Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health. This disparity in visibility hindered comprehension and left many students feeling disconnected from the learning process.

The traditional approach often involved students gathering around the simulated clinical space to observe demonstrations or watch simulated clinical activities. However, this setup did not accommodate different learning styles or provide equal access to information. As a result, some students were left feeling frustrated, which ultimately affected their retention and confidence in their abilities.

Recognizing these challenges, the college knew it needed to implement a solution that could foster greater engagement and inclusivity in the learning environment. The goal was not just to improve visibility, but to create a more dynamic and interactive educational experience that would empower all students, regardless of their seating position.

To address this, they sought a solution that would enhance the learning experience. They turned to LearningSpace, a customizable platform designed to manage simulation delivery, allowing real-time viewing of demonstrations for all students, recording sessions for later review, and seamless integration with various simulators and resources.

With LearningSpace, every student can view demonstrations in real time, regardless of their seat in the lab. Plus, if clarification on a skill is needed, students and faculty have access to recorded sessions. “Students could say, ‘I didn’t see how to do that,’ and we could pull up the video to review together,” Dr. Ortiz explained. This technology transformed the learning experience, allowing students to take charge of their education.

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By integrating LearningSpace into their training regimen, Imperial Valley College significantly enhanced the effectiveness of their simulation sessions. The platform allowed for seamless integration of equipment and resources, enabling instructors to demonstrate real-life scenarios more effectively. “Now, we can replicate the practices our students would encounter in a real-life scenario and debrief a session while simultaneously engaging all learners involved,” Dr. Ortiz added.

As Dr. Ortiz noted, this shift has also led to a marked increase in simulation engagement. Over the past three years, the college has moved from hosting just two or three simulations per week to running multiple healthcare simulations with several cohorts per day. This shift also includes interdisciplinary simulations that bring together students from different healthcare programs, further enriching the learning experience. In fact, the college’s simulation team conducted over 20 simulation scenarios this semester alone, covering a wide range of patient demographics and healthcare settings, including school nurse offices, ICU, med-surg units, and obstetrics.

The focus on enhancing simulation time has been particularly well-received. According to recent survey results from the graduating cohort, students expressed a clear desire for more simulation experiences, citing their value in preparing them for real-world scenarios.

Among the simulators used in the simulation lab are Apollo, the prehospital/nursing patient simulator; Aria, the pediatric patient simulator; Juno, the adult clinical skills patient simulator; Lucina, the obstetric patient simulator; and Luna, the neonatal patient simulator. Additionally, they incorporate Medicor, a portfolio of skills trainers and simulation enhancements.

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Additionally, Imperial Valley College’s program was recently approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing to increase its annual Registered Nursing student enrollments from 80 to 150—a milestone that demonstrates the growing demand and trust in their healthcare education programs. According to Dr. Ortiz, “Every student who will come through our program will benefit from our partnership and Ambassador designation with Elevate Healthcare!”

As they look to the future, Imperial Valley College is excited about ongoing technological advancements. “We’re eager to explore how virtual reality and artificial intelligence can enhance our curriculum,” Dr. Ortiz stated. The focus remains on improving student experiences and ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare.

Imperial Valley College’s partnership with LearningSpace is a testament to how innovative technology can reshape healthcare education. They are not just preparing students for their vital roles; they are elevating the standard of care in the community.

To learn more about how LearningSpace can transform your educational programs, visit https://elevatehealth.net/solutions/brands/learningspace/