The Clark State Community College Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing laboratory and clinical experiences have been shifted to a virtual format for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. These virtual clinical experiences will allow students to complete their requirements for graduation and receive their nursing pins on time.

In-person student clinical experiences were suspended due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Clark State moved all classes to distance-learning formats on March 16 in order to help curb the spread of the virus.

“We are using free trial virtual simulations through NurseTim Incorporated for students in their last semester,” said Dr. Rhoda Sommers, dean of health, human and public services at Clark State. “Faculty previewed these scenarios to determine which were the most appropriate for their courses.”

NurseTim provides hands-on interactive training for educators and learners through customized onsite and online conferences and consultations.

The rules and regulations of the Ohio Board of Nursing permit a program to shift hours between lab and clinical experiences; Clark State was able to move some remaining clinical hours to laboratory hours.

“Because the COVID-19 crisis hit us in the middle of the semester, most students had already completed significant medical/surgical clinical hours,” said Sommers. “The laboratory hours were developed with new learning activities, mostly virtual clinical simulations.  We were able to quickly adapt to either using virtual products available through our textbook vendors or adopting new products to use.”

Sommers said once students complete the program and demonstrate attainment of the learning outcomes, they will be able to graduate and take the NCLEX exam.

Clark State will also hold a virtual pinning ceremony for the anticipated 83 Registered Nursing graduates and 39 Practical Nursing graduates; this date has yet to be determined.

“I believe that all of our students are ready for the ‘real world,’” said Rebecca Dodds, Practical Nursing program coordinator for Clark State. “They each know their capabilities. This might be ‘job orientation by fire’ for some, but I know they are ready to handle it. They each have the heart and soul of troopers and ready for the challenge and can greatly assist our first-line responders.”