Reality check in WITT’s new nursing centre

WITT nursing students will barely be able to tell the difference between a real medical ward and the brand-new teaching ward just opened at the campus.

The 15-bed nursing simulation centre is an expanded, re-purposed facility more than double the capacity of the previous one (six beds). It is fitted out with medical equipment to align with real-world hospital settings for the expected 200+ nursing students in 2026, says Helen Lelean, Head of Nursing and Health at WITT.

The gleaming new facility was officially opened on Monday 3 November. It is needed for the growing number of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing, Diploma in Enrolled Nursing and Health Care Assistant certificate programmes. Nursing enrolments have surged from around 50 in 2020 to between 70 and 80 in the past three years. WITT had set up a temporary simulation centre in C Block to complement the previous six-bed centre in A Block as enrolment numbers grew, with the intention of combining the C and A Block beds and equipment in the refurbishment.

The purpose of the centre is for student nurses to practice clinical procedures and medical scenarios on manikins in a space that closely replicates a real medical ward. Helen is super proud of the new space and having visited similar teaching facilities around the motu she reckons it is one of the best.

“It gives the students an authentic and realistic learning experience,” she says. “It also gives us more flexibility for concurrent teaching with the two separate spaces – one with eight beds and the other with seven.”

The simulation spaces are linked, with authentic storage and nursing admin rooms between. 

High tech and medical realism

High tech medical equipment that students will learn to use in the new centre before they encounter it on a hospital ward includes a PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia pump), Airvo (a high flow oxygen system designed to manage respiratory conditions), Pyxis machine (an automated medication dispensing system used to securely store and track medications, and new laptop trolleys (for easy access to patient data and medical information).

The specialised remote-control hospital beds are the latest design and are made locally in Bell Block by Howard Wright. The company makes medical beds and stretchers for the global market. New syringe drives and IV (intravenous) pumps are also part of the array of apparatus needed in nursing training.

The sizeable administration, storage and clinical preparation space is another welcome feature, particularly for simulation coordinator Alex Negrón. One of his tasks in running the simulation centre is to concoct fake vomit and faeces for student nurses to learn how to measure fluid ratios in these bodily fluids for health assessments. Being able to do this out of sight of students ensures a more authentic learning experience, he says. Previously in the smaller space they could see him mixing up cocoa and other non-smelly ingredients!

On a more technical note, students will have additional learning opportunities with installation of new cameras and wireless mics for recording simulated sessions. They will be able to view and listen to recordings for debriefing and assignment preparation.

“The new simulation space marks a significant step forward in our capabilities,” says Helen. “Our students and future nursing workforce can be confident they will be learning in the very best environment with highly skilled technical and academic staff to support them.”

Caption: (from left) At the official opening of the centre are Helen Lelean - WITT's head of Nursing and Health; Alex Negrón - Simulation Coordinator; Jon Gullidge - Chief of Nursing at Te Whatu Ora; Kelly Laurence - Simulation Administration Assistant and Lisa Moorby - Learning and Development - Nursing at Southern Cross.