JBU, NWACC hold casualty simulation

SILOAM SPRINGS — John Brown University and Northwest Arkansas Community College teamed up March 8 to hold a mass-casualty simulation at three campuses simultaneously.

Natasha Trotter, department chair for JBU’s nursing program, said nursing departments at JBU and the NWACC campuses in Bentonville and Springdale coordinated the simulation.

The simulation had students at the three campuses treat ‘patients’ who were injured in a fictitious bombing of a major Northwest Arkansas retailer.

Other nursing programs that participated were Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., Harding University Northwest Arkansas campus in Rogers and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Fayetteville.

Students started with a regular flow of patients who needed to be seen when EMTs began to bring in ‘bombing victims’ with various injuries.

Schools did not pair students with their classmates, but had them work with those from other schools, Trotter said.

Brianna Willis, who will graduate from the UAMS nursing program in May, found the simulation to be a great experience.

“I think in the beginning, we were all just a little frantic and disorganized,” Willis said. “But I honestly think the more patients came in and the more difficult it got, the more we worked it out.”

Willis said she was in a 15-month accelerated program, which allowed her to get her license in less time than a two-year program. After Willis graduates, she will have a three-month preceptorship before she gets her license.

Jennifer Courser, a nursing instructor from Crowder College, said she was excited to participate in the simulation because it was something nursing students needed to experience.

Lauren Haggard-Duff, clinical associate professor at UAMS’ College of Nursing, echoed Courser and said the simulation was a success.

“I think the students have to learn how to work collaboratively with students from different schools,” Haggard-Duff said. “I think we came into it well organized, but just like in any disaster simulation you must figure it out on the fly and fill in what’s needed.”

JBU nursing student Tanner Meyer, who will graduate in May, found working with students from other schools went smoothly. He said everyone communicated well and could work alongside one another.

JBU senior Starla Lawrence played the facility’s communications officer who dealt with the ‘media,’ she said.

“It was very stressful,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence said it was necessary to keep a level head otherwise she would have succumbed to the stress of the situation. She is not sure she would want to have the role of dealing with the media in real life.

The JBU Nursing Department recently received $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds, allowing the university to continue to have simulations, Trotter said

“I think the students have done great,” Trotter said. “They’ve proven they will be amazing nurses, and I’m very proud of them.”

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Marc Hayot) Crowder College nursing student Charlie Miller discusses the ‘injury’ suffered by Morgan Sprinkle during a mass casualty simulation on March 8 at John Brown University’s Health and Education building.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Marc Hayot) John Brown University nursing student Erin Pianalto wraps the ‘belly’ of Hannah Kintzel during the simulation.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Marc Hayot) John Brown University nursing student Molly Kuykendall prepares to treat Tyler Dawson, a ‘patient,’ during the mass casualty simulation.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Marc Hayot) University of Arkansas Medical Sciences nursing student Brianna Willis calls for a bed for a ‘patient’ during the training.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Marc Hayot) Harding nursing student Abby Estelle (left) discusses the care needed for ‘patient’ Sherri Keith during the simulation.