Sitting in a classroom filled with more than 20 other participants, University of Guam Instructor and Nursing Learning Resource Center Coordinator Veronica Alave realized the roles has been reversed.

“I got to be a student again,” she said.

From January 4 to 8, Alave attended a workshop at Drexel University to earn her simulation certification, making her one of only two people on island to hold this certification.  With it, Alave can better prepare students on Guam and in the outer islands to excel in hospital settings where critical thinking is a must.

“I’m proud of it and happy our school has something to show that I’m certified,” she said.

Through lectures and a series of hypothetical scenarios, Alave and the other participants were exposed to simulated real-life experiences such as heart attacks, mass medical emergencies, and more. Despite all her years as a nurse, Alave said some of the scenarios opened her eyes on how to teach simulations and how students react to the scenarios.

Alave, who has attended similar workshops and conferences in the past, said with each off-island training experience, she brings back the latest knowledge and skills for the students at UOG who plan to utilize the Nursing Learning Resource Center.

“Being updated helps faculty to enhance the learning experiences of our students and develop their abilities to think critically as well as improve leadership, communication and collaboration,” Alave said. “At the end of the day, they are able to care for patients more safely and efficiently.”

The University of Guam’s Nursing Learning Resource Center is a facility that features nearly $200,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment, including an observation room; female, male, and infant simulation mannequins; audio and video recording for simulations; and lab equipment with wall units for oxygen and suction systems to simulate the hospital environment. This lab provides students increased opportunities to practice and learn their skills and enables the University to maintain high standards in nursing education.

Alave’s off-island training was funded by the University’s Good to Great initiative and through a donation by TakeCare Insurance Company earlier in the school year, said Dean of the School of Health Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima.

And with the financial support of the Guam/ Micronesian Area Health Education Center program, Alave will be able to travel to islands in the region once again to share her newfound knowledge.

“We want to make sure we’re able to transfer the skills and knowledge not just to the Guam community but Micronesia as well,” Alave said. “I can go to Palau, Pohnpei and Yap to train them on how to use their simulation laboratory.”