Nebraska Methodist students use simulators to learn how to navigate labor, delivery

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Nursing students at Nebraska Methodist College are gaining real world experience in labor and delivery, but it’s not with who you think.

The new patients, Noelle and Tory, are Gaumaric Mannequins.

While they might not be living or breathing, Noelle and Tory’s life-like features allow students to gain experience with treating women in labor during both low and high stress situations.

NMC got the two simulators thanks to a Nebraska Hospital Association Grant.

Colleen Steinhauser, the simulation coordinator for the college, said these robots give students a safe space to learn.

“If they make a mistake in practice, we can talk about it and they can learn from that,” Steinhauser said. “Also, the patient isn’t harmed because we can just reset and do it again and they can practice and improve their practice.”

NMC nursing student Reanne Roper said she’s seen growth since first working with the mannequins.

Student Rae McGlothlin, a mother herself, said she feels safe knowing her peers are prepared before they go into a labor and delivery situation.

“Being exposed to all the wires and the lines, those are things that are very intimidating for students and it’s very important going into nursing,” McGlothlin said. “Someone’s life is in your hands.”

The college is also bringing this opportunity to high school students. A mentorship program in Grand Island allows the medical professionals to show off their tools.

“We show them the mannequins and we show them what they can do to kind of stimulate that interest in healthcare and hopefully healthcare might be an interest of theirs in the future,” Steinhauser said.

The college also plans to bring Noelle and Tory to the web. They will be able to host livestream simulations for professional development that nurses throughout the Methodist Health System can complete from anywhere.

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