Today we were back at Birmingham City University again for another full day of simulation labs, and it ended up being one of the most exciting and interesting days of the trip so far. The morning started with our first simulation lab focused on catheterization with Blessing. I was especially excited because this was my very first time participating in any type of nursing simulation. We have spent the entire year studying nursing concepts in lectures and reading about procedures in textbooks, so it was really rewarding to finally begin doing hands-on work and applying what we have learned in a more realistic setting. Before starting the simulation, we watched videos demonstrating how to insert both male and female catheters. The videos emphasized the importance of maintaining proper aseptic technique throughout the procedure to prevent transport of bacteria. It was interesting to see how careful nurses have to be with every step of the process, from preparing supplies to maintaining a sterile field. Even though I had studied the procedure before, watching it demonstrated and then practicing it ourselves made everything feel much more real and understandable.
We worked in small simulation groups and my group performed a male catheter procedure. It definitely required teamwork and communication because each person had a different role during the procedure. I was nervous at first because I wanted to make sure I followed the correct sterile technique, but once we got started I became more confident. It was exciting to finally practice a skill that nurses perform regularly in hospitals and clinical settings. The simulation experience made me feel more connected to the profession and reminded me why I wanted to study nursing in the first place.
After finishing the catheter simulation, we moved on to learning about nasogastric tubes, which are tubes inserted through the nose and down into the stomach, usually when a patient is unconscious. We discussed several reasons why patients might need NG tubes, including providing nutrition, administering medication, or removing contents from the stomach. It was interesting to learn how common and useful these tubes are in patient care. Seeing the equipment up close and hearing explanations from a nurse helped me better understand the procedure and the importance of proper placement and patient monitoring.
After lunch we resumed the simulation lab, this time for wound care with Chenenye. This was probably the most fascinating part of the day for me. We learned how to properly dress wounds which help promote healing. Chenenye explained the different methods nurses can use depending on the type and severity of the wound.
One of the most surprising things we learned about was the use of maggots for wound debridement. At first the idea sounded a little creepy, but it was very interesting. We learned that the maggots used in healthcare are specially produced in laboratories from sterile flies so they are safe for medical use. They are placed in a small mesh bag and then applied to the wound underneath a bandage. The maggots help remove dead tissue while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Even though it sounded a little spooky to think about, it was amazing to learn how something unusual can actually play an important role in healing wounds. After discussing wound debridement, we practiced wrapping wounds and learning different bandaging techniques. Chenenye demonstrated several types of wraps for different appendages and explained when each one should be used. She wrapped my arm and Ruby’s leg to show us examples before letting us practice on each other.. The hands-on experience helped me realize how much skill and precision goes into even basic nursing care tasks.
Once the skills lab was over, we walked back to the hotel feeling a little tired from the busy day. We all ended up taking a necessary nap before heading out again later in the evening. Around 4:30 we went to the train station area for dinner. A group of us decided to get revolving sushi which was such a fun experience. The sushi was delicious and I especially loved the chocolate mochi for dessert, which was definitely my favorite part of the meal.
After dinner we headed to a historical ghost tour around Birmingham. During the tour we learned about local ghost stories connected to old hotels and historic buildings, many of which were built over graveyards. The guide shared stories of ghost sightings and unexplained events reported inside some of the buildings. We walked around the city listening to the stories and learning more about Birmingham’s history. It honestly was not as scary as I wanted it to be, but it was still really interesting and entertaining.I am especially excited for tomorrow because we will be visiting the children’s hospital, which I know will be another incredible opportunity to learn more about nursing and patient care.