Standardized Patient & Volunteer Opportunities

Nursing students at SIM Lab

The Simulation & Skills Center (SSC) allows students the opportunity to practice newly acquired skills and handle patient/family situations not typically seen in the clinical setting. The School of Nursing supports the community by educating the healthcare professionals of tomorrow. In return, we ask support from our community in the form of volunteers. By donating some of your time, even just a few hours, you can have a positive impact on the future of healthcare in Texas and across the nation. Below is list of our simulations with a brief information and volunteer sign up links.

Simulations

Volunteers at Maternal - Newborn Nursing Acute Care Simulation

Maternal - Newborn Nursing Acute Care Simulation (Incentive offered)

The simulations serve as introductory learning experiences for students in the Maternal - Newborn nursing clinical practicum courses. Volunteers play the role of a birth setting laboring and postpartum patient, based on cue cards, mini scripts, and brief pre-Sim training, to help guide the students through the scenarios. Student’s progress through this birth setting simulation caring for the laboring woman, newborn, and postpartum mother patients. Faculty also assists with simulation days. (Nursing/pre-nursing students may also volunteer if in the senior 1 or 2 level of the BSN curriculum or beyond -must have completed J2 level).

**Note: Volunteers may qualify for some incentive for each four hours of standardized patient time served. Download the simulation incentive information (PDF) to learn more about how you can receive the incentive.

Volunteers at Maternal Postpartum Hemorrhage Simulation

Maternal Postpartum Hemorrhage Simulation

This acute care setting simulation serves as an introductory learning experience regarding a maternal postpartum hemorrhage; an obstetrical emergency. Volunteers play the role of the postpartum mother/ patient who presents with a postpartum birth canal hemorrhage, who the nursing students care for. No experience is necessary. Volunteers act in the standardized postpartum patient role, based on cue cards, mini scripts, and brief pre-Sim training, to help guide the students through the scenario. Faculty also assists with the simulation day. (Nursing/pre-nursing students may also volunteer if in the senior 1 or 2 level of the BSN curriculum or beyond - must have completed J2 level).

Volunteers at Patient Interview and Hypothetical Scenarios Simulation

Patient Interview and Hypothetical Scenarios Simulation

Volunteers will portray a patient with a medical condition and/or read hypothetical scenarios (provided) to nursing students. This simulation will allow the nursing student to practice the Gordon’s Medical History Assessment in a safe setting and hypothetical scenarios prepare them for intense interaction with future client encounters.

A group of nursing students will take turns asking you medical history questions as if they were in a true clinical setting. Another group of nursing students will be given 14 challenging patient communications they may experience in the profession and will collaborate together on a response to the question.

Volunteers at S2 Speed Simulation

S2 Speed Simulation

Nursing students practice critical skills on high fidelity manikins while performing complex scenarios in a safe environment. Simulation supplements clinical experience allowing all of our students to be exposed to scenarios in the simulation center that they may miss otherwise.

Volunteers are needed to pose as family members during the simulation while our student nurses are providing emergency care to the patient. Also incorporated in the Simulation Experience are brief descriptions of the role you will provide and a script to follow. As always, the faculty encourage open participation to let your inner actor ability to fly!

Volunteers at Simulated Hospital Clinical Day

Simulated Hospital Clinical Day (SHCD)

As a volunteer, you will interact with the students during the simulation activity by portraying a family member or friend (visitor). Volunteers will receive a brief orientation and guide sheet, upon arrival, that includes a description of the patient and your role in the scenario before being introduced to the instructor and students. Your participation will increase the realism of the simulation activity for the students by providing them with the opportunity to practice critical thinking, therapeutic communication, and professional demeanor with a family member or friend of the patient present at the bedside. Other student visitors may drop in during the activity, such as a Social Worker, Doctor or Advanced Practice Nurse.

Volunteers at Vascular Simulation

Vascular Simulation

The Vascular Simulation helps educates our student’s on the importance of focusing on the needs and care of individual’s and their families with known or at risk for vascular disease. The simulated scenarios help improve students’ competence and confidence to provide care for patients with varied vascular conditions. Students will be challenged to assess and monitor patient conditions and to respond with the appropriate treatment. Volunteers create a realistic hospital experience for the student while performing the simulation. A script will be provided prior to the simulation.

Contact Information

For more information about our simulations, please contact Deanna Baker at dbaker@nursing.utexas.edu.

SSC Location

School of Nursing Room 4.121

1710 Red River St., Austin, Texas