Simulated event gives students experience of working a night shift

The group of 144 first year students took part in the night shift event which offered them a simulation experience of working through the night to help them to prepare for working on placement later in their studies.

The theme of the event, held in Chester city centre and in the University’s sports hall, was homelessness and included a workshop hosted by the charity Shelter.

All first year student nurses have the opportunity to complete a simulated placement as part of their programme. Simulated learning opportunities are known to be beneficial to student learners as they can support students to build their confidence and skills in a range of situations, including some they may not encounter frequently in practice.

The University’s Simulated Practice Learning experience contains a mixture of scenario-based days, lived experience service user days, communication workshops and public health community-based days offering students a well-rounded clinical learning experience.

Jenny Stewart, Skills and Simulation Coordinator, in the University’s Practice Education Simulated Learning team, said: “This is the first time we have run the night shift as part of the Simulated Practice Learning experience and I was so impressed with the focus and professional behaviour of all of our students who joined the night shift. Thank you to Shelter for running the workshop for our students and to the small team of staff who supported this event.”