De Witt Center for Nursing Boasts Innovative Training Technology
With the development of Cornerstone University’s new nursing program and the remodeling of Daverman Hall for the Mary De Witt Center for Nursing also comes a vital aspect of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Cornerstone—new technology to help students prepare for work in hospitals and clinics around the world.
The equipment, developed by CAE Healthcare, is some of the most updated and innovative medical training equipment currently available, and Cornerstone is excited to have the most up-to-date technology on campus. CAE Healthcare is one of the three core businesses of CAE, a global leader in the production of civil aviation; defense and security; and health care training.
“Our desire for the Nursing Division is that we graduate competent, practice ready nurses who love Christ and love their patients,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone. “The technology that we have for these students to train on will prepare them for the great calling that Christ has in store for them.”
The 9,344-square-foot De Witt Center for Nursing is fully equipped with responsive health care technology that BSN students can interact with and train on in preparation for clinicals and residencies. It houses five different types of mannequins that respond to treatment and can be programmed to exhibit certain symptoms. The mannequins include the following:
- CAE Juno: The nursing wing has four clinical skills mannequins that train students in general assessment and nursing skills such as suctioning, catheterization and administering medication.
- CAE Luna: A neonatal infant mannequin. The infant can breathe, vocalize and respond to treatment. The nursing wing is also equipped with a Panda warmer, the same used for infants in neonatal units at hospitals.
- CAE Aria: A seven-year-old size child that can be programmed with high fidelity response to multiple symptoms and scenarios with over 60 vocalizations, real-time response to interventions and realistic assessment findings.
- CAE Apollo: This mannequin can be programmed for multiple symptoms and scenarios that involve medical intervention. It responds automatically to over 68 medications as well as defibrillation.
- CAE Lucina: One of the most dynamic mannequins in the nursing wing, the CAE Lucina is a labor and delivery mannequin that can simulate both normal and emergency delivery. It can be used in multiple birthing positions and can simulate C-sections, breech births and more. This mannequin can also be a non-pregnant female and simulate other scenarios in a female patient.
Apart from the responsive mannequins that will help nursing students prepare for their career, the De Witt Center for Nursing also has hospital-grade beds, including a labor and delivery bed, touch screen vital monitors and video capability to debrief simulations. In addition, the wing is outfitted with other medical-grade equipment such as IV pumps and medication administration Pyxis or an automated medication dispenser.
“This technology is important to augment training and experiences that students may not be able to experience in the clinical setting,” said Dr. Maria McCormick, chair of the Nursing Division at Cornerstone. “We are committed to providing our students with the most rigorous training possible, and this equipment will give them everything they need to take care of their future patients.”
The first BSN cohort at Cornerstone began their studies this fall, and the university is actively recruiting for fall 2022.
Audrey Wierenga
Audrey Wierenga (B.A. ’18) is the copywriter for Cornerstone’s Marketing & Communications Office. She graduated from Cornerstone in 2018 with a degree in broadcast communication. Audrey also serves on the Young Alumni Council.
In her spare time, Audrey enjoys working on her own full-length work of fiction, co-hosting a podcast about the Academy Awards and participating in local theatre productions.
