Teachers know that integrating learning tools in the classroom provides a better learning environment for the student, and Weimar Institute is no exception. That is why Weimar Institute has invested time and money into the creation of three different labs — the anatomy and physiology cadaver lab, the microbiology lab, and the nursing simulation lab.
The cadaver lab is a unique feature, according to Allen Davis, Ph.D., academic vice president. He said, at the beginning of the school year, Loma Linda Medical Center delivers two cadavers to the Institute for the lab. Used specifically by the anatomy and physiology class, this lab ensures the students can not only see what they are studying, but also learn to recognize the different characteristics of the human anatomy.
“I think studying in the cadaver lab has really put the human anatomy into practical application for me because it’s one thing to talk about how it is, but to actually see it for yourself there is a whole other dimension of understanding it,” said Christina Ford, a pre-nursing student.
“Having cadavers as part of our curriculum and course study at Weimar Institute is unique. That’s typically something only available at medical schools,” shared Dr. Davis. “And, it’s definitely unique for nursing students to have access to cadavers as part of their educational program. It puts them one more step down the road in being rightly fit for the work they’re preparing to do.”
“On the cadaver, you get to see things like enlarged hearts and pathological cases as well as seeing how things actually look,” agreed Nadia Hasse, also a pre-nursing student.
The cadaver lab gives a head start to pre-med students, who intend to go on to medical school, but also lays a broader foundation to other students such as pre-nursing students.
The microbiology lab, newly remodeled and expanded by students, now offers students a more complete experience in the learning of microbiology material through hands-on experiments. In the micro lab, students learn: how to use a microscope and identify what they are examining, about different bacteria and protozoa, and about yeasts and how they develop. Not only that, but students also learn about human cells and drugs.
Jo-anna Clayton said the exposure to the microbiology lab has helped her to get a glimpse into the world of microbes. “I have gotten the opportunity to do staining and learn about different microbes, and because of that I now understand a little better how pathogens work. Seeing them in the microscope has given me a better understanding of how they work rather than just reading the book,” the pre-nursing student said.
The nursing simulation lab features hospital beds and three patient simulators—a male, a female, and a child. These special simulators can be programed to have different medical issues. For example, the woman can be programmed to give birth. Each of these simulators are designed to give the best practical experience before going out into the real world on clinical days.
“This lab gives us an opportunity to participate in real life scenarios that help us to sort through what we know and don’t know, so that we can be more competent as nurses in the real-life setting. It gives us opportunities to practice high tech skills in a safe environment, so that we feel confident before we carry out the skills in the real clinical setting,” said Stacey and Brenna, second-year nursing students.
All in all, the students who participate in these labs gain a better understanding of the subject matter they are studying. And not only does it help them now in understanding the subject, but also these labs will better help them out in their future careers. “The micro lab gave me a broad background of the microscopic world. Everything I learned in micro lab has been helping to lay the foundation for medical school someday. It gave me an introductory understanding of how drugs work, what kind of drugs there are, and some of the side effects. It was a sneak peek preview to some of the topics that I will be covering in medical school,” concluded Laurenz Roehlig, pre-med student.
Weimar Institute offers degrees in pre-med, pre-physical therapy, pre-dentistry, natural science, and nursing. Certificate programs are available in HEALTH and medical assistance. For more information about the clinical programs at Weimar Institute, check out the website at www.weimar.edu, email [email protected], or call 530-422-7923.