The needle pierces the fake plastic flesh of the mechanical man, his pulse races, his oxygen levels continue to fall; the nurses race to find another solution to his needs.
At the Moorpark nursing program, up-to-date technology gives nurses-in-training the chance to practice without the need of a real patient.
“Our faculty is mostly made up of working professionals, and I think that drives how we teach and interact with our students. We are all very enthusiastic and dedicated to our profession,” said Higashida. “We hold very high standards for our students, and I think that pushes students to high standards. We want to train them not only in safe care, but in quality care.”
“Sim-man,” or simulation man, is one example of a device used to prepare and test students’ reactions to realistic situations they may encounter in the field. Teachers control the robots by altering blood pressure, oxygen levels, or adding other symptoms.
Students must diagnose and treat the robot to the best of their knowledge. They were some of the first to try out My VCCCD and other innovations that later spread to Moorpark and the rest of the Ventura community college campuses.
The Moorpark Nursing program initially started as a satellite of Ventura College in 1981. Independent Approval by the California Registered Board of Nursing was given in 1983. The program continued on to receive accreditation by the National League of Nursing, a membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Currently the major is so popular that it has at least a two year waitlist to enter. The program accepts around 44 students per semester, and more than 90 percent of graduates go on to pass the National registered nurse licensing exam.
The program has out grown their original location at the trailers, and was in need of a new facility. In September of 2008, the construction of the new Health Sciences building off Campus Road began.
“It’ll be really nice when we get the new building in, so we can expand.” Higashida commented.
The Health Sciences building is scheduled to be finished at the end of the spring semester; classes in it should begin in fall 2010.
Students hopeful of entering the program must maintain an over-all GPA of 2.5 or better, as well as in the subjects of Biology, English and Math. Applied skills like volunteering in the field, internships, or proficiency in multiple languages are looked upon favorably. The program chooses its students based on a new system, the exact details of which are still under consideration and were not released.
Lindsay Locquiao, a 22-year old, 1st semester nursing major, has been very happy with her experience so far.
“We have peer tutors, and all the teachers are always willing to help with any questions, Locquiao said. “So it’s not like we don’t have anyone to go to.”
Hedien Etminani, a 25-year-old nursing major, was also positive about the program.
“It’s not easy, but those who pass are top of the class. You know that you are getting top qualifications for applying to jobs,” Etminani said. “If a UCLA student and a Moorpark College Nursing student were applying for the same job, I think they would pick the Moorpark student.”
