Post-secondary educators from around Ontario to learn the latest techniques

October 9, 2007

OSHAWA, Ont. – Representatives from 10 post-secondary institutions across Ontario will be on campus in Oshawa this weekend to receive hands-on, specialized critical care simulation training from Durham College professors. The conference is the latest phase in the roll out of Durham College’s Critical Care Nursing E-Learning Graduate Certificate, a new cutting-edge program for current or future critical care nurses that resulted from a $1-million contract awarded to Durham College by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in its continued efforts to improve the quality of nursing care.

From October 12 to 14, conference attendees will be in Durham College’s state-of-the-art, 5,700-square-foot Simulation Lab to learn how to teach the hands-on simulation component of the graduate certificate program so training can be done on their own campuses. The lab provides a virtual learning experience featuring human-like simulators that portray various ailments and critical health problems. It also uses program-specific software to simulate case scenarios reflective of a clinical setting.

The first 100 students enrolled in the nursing e-learning program in September and will access five theoretical courses via Internet, enabling them to learn at their own pace – regardless of their geography or work schedule. Upon completing the theory courses, they participate in hands-on simulation training at Durham College or at one of the partner institutions receiving training this weekend. The last part of the program has students complete their learning by gaining on-the-job experience in a critical care setting of their choice under the direct supervision of an experienced critical care nurse preceptor.

The provincial government predicts a steady increase in the demand for critical care services over the next 20 years as Ontario’s population continues to grow and age. With this demographic shift in mind, Durham College’s E-Learning Graduate Certificate program will help meet this demand and has the potential to improve patient care and reduce hospital wait times province-wide.

Who:
Robert MacKay, manager, Critical Care Secretariat;
Judy Robinson, dean, Durham College School of Health & Community Services; and
Sandra Goldsworthy, co-ordinator, Critical Care Hub of Excellence, Durham College.

When:
Friday, October 12 to Sunday October 14, 2007
Media open house: Saturday from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Where:
Durham College Oshawa campus
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario
Critical Care Simulation Lab

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street and proceed to Commencement Lot 1.

For more information contact:
Sarah Daniel
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
sarah.daniel@durhamcollege.ca

 

 

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