Students from Seton Hall University’s M.S. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA) programs recently worked with second-year medical students from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) during neurology simulations at the Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Nutley.
The simulation events are part of a broader initiative by Seton Hall to promote interdisciplinary education among its health professions programs. This approach aims to prepare students for effective collaboration in clinical settings by bringing together resources and expertise from Seton Hall’s College of Nursing, School of Health and Medical Sciences, and HMSOM.
Held in the IHS Simulation Center’s upgraded Hi-Fidelity Suite rooms, the simulations offered students a realistic environment that mirrors hospital units. These rooms allow for recorded scenarios that can be reviewed as part of pre-clinical learning.
“These controlled scenarios allow students to build confidence and strengthen their assessment skills prior to clinical rotations,” said Vikram Dayalu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, interim dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences.
The Simulation Center also includes a Standardized Patient Suite and skills labs equipped with medical and rehabilitation equipment. These facilities help students improve patient evaluation techniques as they train for careers as doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
During two interdisciplinary sessions, PA and AGACNP students joined HMSOM medical students in trauma scenarios using a manikin designed to simulate emergency room conditions. The exercises required participants to assess and stabilize a neurology patient while working together as an interprofessional team.
Kendra Pierre, a rapid response nurse enrolled in her second year of the AGACNP program, said: “The simulation enhanced my understanding of team dynamics and role delineation during emergencies.”
Michelle Inga, a PA student interested in neurosurgical intensive care or trauma care, commented: “Experiencing a critical neurological case event firsthand while collaborating with medical students was the best way to become confident and comfortable while getting constructive feedback in a high-stress situation.”
Michelle McWeeney, PhD, PA-C, assistant professor at the School of Health and Medical Sciences, noted that more interdisciplinary simulations are planned for the spring semester. “Our students were grateful to participate in this experience and learn from neurology attendings,” she said.
