Day 6 in Birmingham was one of the most exciting and hands-on days we’ve had so far. We spent the entire day back at Birmingham City University, working in the simulation labs and finally getting the chance to practice real nursing skills. After spending all year at Pitt learning the core sciences, it was really cool to step into a clinical setting where our knowledge came to use in.
Our morning began in the sim lab looking at an ambulance unit. It had all of the equipment that the real ambulances in the UK have. They try to make it as close to the real ambulance so their students are better prepared for being on the unit.
We then moved to a different room with Blessing, where we learned about urinary catheterization. This was especially exciting because it was my very first time participating in any type of clinical simulation. We started by watching instructional videos that demonstrated how to insert both male and female catheters. These videos emphasized the importance of aseptic technique, which is critical to preventing infections and ensuring patient safety. Even though we’ve talked about sterile technique in class, seeing it applied step by step in a real clinical skill made everything click in a new way.
After the demonstrations, we split into small groups to practice. My group worked on performing a male catheterization simulation. Being able to practice in a safe learning environment made it easier to focus on the process and ask questions without the pressure of a real clinical setting. Blessing was really supportive and helpful, even when we were making mistakes like forgetting to close the catheter bag and creating a puddle on the floor.
Next, we learned about nasogastric (NG) tubes, which are tubes inserted through the nose that go directly into the stomach. We discussed the many reasons patients may need NG tubes, such as providing nutrition, removing stomach contents, or administering medication. It was fascinating to see how many situations this procedure can help with and how important it is to perform it safely and correctly.
We grabbed lunch at the dining hall before heading back to the simulation labs for the afternoon session. This time, we worked with Chinenye and focused on wound care. This session was packed with information and hands-on practice. We learned how to properly dress and debride wounds, which is the process of removing dead or infected tissue to promote healing.
One of the most surprising things we learned about was the use of maggots in wound care. At first, the idea sounded a little spooky, but once we understood the science behind it, it became incredibly interesting. Medical maggots are produced in laboratories from sterile flies and placed into small bags before being applied to wounds under a bandage. They help clean wounds by removing dead tissue, which can speed up healing and reduce infection risk. It was definitely one of the most memorable lessons of the day!
After learning about debridement, we moved on to bandaging and wrapping techniques. Chinenye demonstrated how to wrap different parts of the body, including various appendage wraps. She even wrapped my foot and Cameron’s arm as examples. Then we got the chance to practice on each other, which was both fun and educational. I practiced wrapping Meredith’s limb as if she had a stump following an amputation. It was a little bit challenging but mostly fun to apply the techniques ourselves.
By the end of the simulation labs, we were all pretty exhausted from the full day of learning. We walked back to the hotel and took a much-needed nap before heading out again in the evening.
At 4:30, we made our way to the train station area for dinner. A group of us decided to try revolving sushi, which was such a fun experience. Watching the plates move past on the conveyor belt made it easy to try lots of different dishes. Everything was delicious, but my absolute favorite was the chocolate mochi for dessert.
After dinner, we headed out for a ghost tour of Birmingham. The tour took us around the city while we listened to stories about haunted hotels, historic buildings, and places built over old graveyards. There have been many reported ghost sightings in these locations, which made the experience feel extra mysterious. Even though it wasn’t as scary as I expected, it was really interesting to learn about the city’s history from a different perspective.
It was the perfect way to end a long day; learning new skills, trying new foods, and exploring the city at night. Tomorrow we’re visiting the children’s hospital, and I’m really excited to see what we’ll learn next.