Create a cost-effective nursing simulation lab with these manikins

Simulation is a powerful teaching method, particularly in health care education. There are dozens of research studies that speak to the efficacy of simulation in health science courses. As this 2016 meta-analysis found, “simulation-based nursing education is effective.” Simulation tools like medical manikins provide valuable hands-on application of technical nursing skills. However, medical manikins can be expensive – especially the high-fidelity ones. Fortunately, you don’t need high-fidelity manikins to create a successful training program. As this 2011 study found, “medium-fidelity manikins are more cost-effective, requiring one-fifth of the cost of high-fidelity manikins to obtain the same effect on clinical reasoning, knowledge acquisition and student satisfaction.” In fact, you can create a cost-effective nursing simulation lab with these manikins.

Pediatric Nursing Manikin

The medium-fidelity Pediatric Nursing Manikin is the size of a 3-year-old. It meets current AHA CPR guidelines, as it provides directed, specific, real-time coaching feedback on the rate and depth of chest compressions. In addition to practicing Basic Life Support (BLS), students can use this pediatric nursing manikin to perform over a dozen nursing procedures, providing valuable patient-centered clinical skills training.

Curriculum: 9 lessons

Teaching remotely? Use the included IV arm to prepare a pediatric IV demonstration video for students to view from home.

Adult Nursing Manikin

This award-winning, medium-fidelity manikin helps create realistic, interactive scenarios for practicing over 20 basic care procedures, including CPR. A life-sized adult manikin, it also meets current AHA CPR guidelines. It includes a feedback device that provides directed, specific, real-time coaching feedback on the rate and depth of chest compressions.

Curriculum: 10 lessons

Teaching in a blended learning environment? This tool is perfect! You can teach content in the lessons online, then use the Adult Nursing Manikin for efficient hands-on practice during your valuable in-person teaching hours.

Geriatric Nursing Manikin

The Geriatric Nursing Manikin is an elderly medical teaching mannequin that features realistic joints and size. Students can use it to practice over 15 basic nursing functions, from hair and face washing to colostomy care. It includes a curriculum that addresses basic patient care procedures as well as soft skills.

Curriculum: 6 lessons

Pro tip: Seamlessly integrate soft skills into your CNA content. Each of the lessons includes a soft skills scenario to teach empathy and patient communication. For remote learning, post the scenarios online and have students answer the key questions in writing or in a discussion forum.

Closed Fracture Trauma Manikin

Give your students hands-on opportunities with palpating, manipulating and immobilizing closed fractures with our Closed Fracture Trauma Manikin. Additionally, use this multipurpose manikin to teach 11 other key nursing skills, from intramuscular injections to ostomy care. The included curriculum completes the experience for both instructors and students.

Curriculum: 7 lessons

Pro tip: Create EMT-specific skills demonstrations for online learning. The closed fracture injuries in the manikin can be immobilized and splinted in a recorded demo. You can’t practice THAT on a real person!

Resources for learning more

Looking for more information on creating a cost-effective nursing simulation lab? Consider these resources:

• Download our free “Implementation Guide: Geriatric Training” to understand the impact 21st Century learning tools can make as you prepare your students for success in geriatric careers
• Download our free “Implementation Guide: CNA Training” to prepare students for success as Certified Nursing Assistants
• Watch our on-demand webinar, “Designing Simulation-Based Lessons for High School Students“