Nursing Excellence at Mayo Clinic: How Simulation Training Improves Patient Outcomes and Boosts Nurses’ Confidence

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is dedicated to improving the education and skills of its staff through simulation training. In 2022, St. Mary’s nursing simulation lab was established, featuring four medical mannequins that accurately mimic human functions such as talking, breathing, and blinking. The lab aims to enhance the skills and confidence of nurses by providing a realistic learning environment for various medical scenarios.

Nursing Education Coordinator Paul Branstad stated that the mannequins can be programmed to simulate rare diseases or complex medical conditions, allowing nurses to practice and learn from any situation. Over 13,000 nurses have utilized the simulation lab to learn and grow since its establishment, with the ability to restart simulations to provide valuable learning opportunities when mistakes are made.

Intensive Care Unit Nurse Zachary Bernatz shared how the simulation lab has improved his ability to care for patients in critical situations. By practicing on the mannequins, Bernatz felt more confident in handling real-life emergency scenarios, leading to better patient outcomes. The simulation lab plays a crucial role in keeping nurses’ skills sharp and preparing them for challenging situations in clinical practice.

Nursing Education Specialist Michelle Coy highlighted a successful case where nurses who had practiced a cardiac emergency scenario in the simulation lab were able to save a patient’s life in a real-life situation the next day. This demonstrates the impact of simulation training on improving patient care outcomes and enhancing nurses’ clinical skills.

The simulation lab at Mayo Clinic provides real-time feedback to nurses, helping them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills that are valuable in their careers. The experiences gained from the simulation lab have a lasting impact on nurses, enabling them to deliver high-quality care to patients. Mayo Clinic continues to prioritize staff education and training to foster excellence in patient care.