New Childbirth Simulator Boosts High-Quality Education

Spring has brought a new addition to the Cedarville University School of Nursing: a cutting-edge childbirth simulator named “Victoria.” This high-fidelity manikin will enhance the hands-on learning experience for nursing students. 

“Victoria” boasts lifelike features, including realistic eye movement and skin texture, providing students with an immersive learning environment. Faculty can control all vital signs, as well as the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s voice, through a laptop interface behind protective glass. This setup empowers students to make critical decisions independently, simulating real-world scenarios they may encounter in their professional careers. 

The Care of Women and Newborns course, a cornerstone of Cedarville’s nursing program, will integrate the new birthing simulator into its curriculum. These simulations bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice, preparing students for the challenges of maternal and neonatal care. 

The acquisition of “Victoria” underscores Cedarville University’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art resources for its nursing students, ensuring they receive the highest-quality education possible. 

“Students spend so much of their time in books and lectures, but simulations give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge base to begin thinking like a nurse,” said Nate Kincaid, assistant professor of nursing. “It makes the classroom come to life in a more practical, real-environment setting.” 

The previous childbirth manikin was purchased in 2012, and it provided less lifelike simulation than “Victoria,” which is wireless and can now be taken into classrooms. Kincaid and Cedarville’s faculty in the school of nursing believe the new simulator strengthens the education of tomorrow’s nurses through more lifelike experiences. 

The flexibility of “Victoria” is a major asset to the learning experience at Cedarville. The simulator comes with a flat belly option, making the manikin a regular high-fidelity simulator that can stand in as a patient who is an old man, a teenaged girl or whatever the need may be. 

The two high-fidelity simulators, now joined by “Victoria” as the third, are more advanced, where the chest rises and falls, a pulse can be felt and bodily fluids like tears, sweat and vomit can be present. The school of nursing also has 18 moderate-fidelity simulators, allowing students to practice hearing breath, lung and heart sounds, changing sheets for bed-ridden patients and performing head-to-toe assessments. 

As a way to engage the students with the new mother and baby manikins, Kincaid hopes to host a “baby shower” in the fall, giving students the opportunity to suggest and vote on names for the new additions to the family of simulators.