'It's the ultimate learning experience'

Blinn College health sciences students put their skills to the test during two-day emergency simulation exercise

October 25, 2024

Donning a neon yellow sash, charge nurse Tyler Vachon remained calm and focused as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) wheeled in a patient calling out in distress.

“We really got to put our skills to the test,” said Vachon.

This intense exercise was just one of the scenarios that Blinn College District health science students faced during a recent two-day simulation exercise at Texas A&M-RELLIS. For Vachon, a second-year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) student, this type of training reassures him that he has made the right career choice.

“I’m interested in working in the emergency room because I like that fast-paced environment,” Vachon said. “I really got a good handful of that today as the charge nurse. I got to collaborate with all the different nurses and all the departments you would normally work with in the ER. I feel very prepared to start my career and I have Blinn to thank for that.”

Featuring more than 75 students in Blinn’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), ADN, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Radiologic Technology programs, the collaborative exercise presented students with hypothetical emergency room scenarios. The scenarios, designed to simulate real-life emergencies, featured actors portraying patients with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds and traumatic falls to kitchen burns and cardiac events.

“Everything our students have learned over the past two years gets pulled into place today. They have to apply the knowledge that they’ve gained into real-life practice,” said ADN Program Instructor Robert Lemay. “This is where our students can safely learn and not worry about making a mistake. It’s the ultimate learning experience.”

These simulation exercises are a vital part of student training in Blinn’s Division of Health Sciences. Designed to complement the clinical experience Blinn students receive in area hospitals, the 16,000-square-foot Simulation and Clinical Lab at the RELLIS Academic Complex features the latest tools and technology. In addition, Blinn utilizes virtual reality simulations to provide students with additional opportunities outside of the clinical setting to hone their skills. This commitment to active learning, coupled with dedicated faculty, has made Blinn’s health sciences programs leaders in their respective fields.

As the simulation concluded, Vachon reflected on how Blinn’s faculty and curriculum have set him on the path to success. With graduation just two months away, he already has secured a position at an acute rehabilitation facility in Colorado.

“This position is a steppingstone to working in the ER,” Vachon said. “I know a lot of my success is due to the support of the faculty. They want to see you shine, they want to see you grow. If you want to be somewhere, they will help you get there.”

For more information about Blinn’s Division of Health Sciences, visit www.blinn.edu/health-sciences.