Samuel Merritt College Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC)

The Health Sciences Simulation Center promotes immersive learning for healthcare professionals in an environment where simulation-based education is purposefully integrated into programs.  Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach we provide opportunities to acquire knowledge based on best practices and to positively transform the experience of learning.    

I.      Internal customers: 520 - annual enrollment of students in the educational programs of Samuel Merritt College (a health sciences specialty institution):  

1.    Pre-licensure nursing*

a.    Traditional BSN: 128

b.    Entry-Level Master's of Science in Nursing (ELMSN): 48

c.     Accelerated BSN (ABSN): 48

2.    Program of Nurse Anesthesia (MSN-CRNA): 75

3.    Family Nurse Practitioner* (MSN-FNP): 50

4.    Physician Assistant (MPA): 74

5.    Occupational Therapy (MOT): 30

6.    Physical Therapy (DPT): 32

7.    Podiatric Medicine (DPM): 35

*Samuel Merritt College is comprised of a central home campus (Oakland) and three Learning Centers (LC) which are satellite campuses, located in San Francisco, San Mateo and Sacramento.  The LCs house nursing programs only. The HSSC physical facility serves primarily the students of the Oakland campus however, the numbers indicated here include learners from the satellite Centers who currently utilize the HSSC for educational sessions. 

II.  External customers: healthcare professionals (primarily MDs and RNs) from medical centers in the community

1.    Highland General Hospital (HGH)-Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) Emergency Medicine Residency Program: 60

2.    HGH-ACMC Perinatal Services: 50

3.   Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Department of Nursing (multiple nursing specialty areas): 20

Note: Planning for HSSC expansion (doubling total space to between 12,000 – 15,000 square feet by 2010) is in progress to accommodate the rapidly growing learner population.  

To provide learners an opportunity to experience and respond to situations, both common and uncommon, in a safe and supportive environment so they are better prepared to react competently and confidently in a real situation.

Scenarios are created to allow the learners to demonstrate their skills in problem solving, decision-making, resource management, and teamwork.

The creation of a simulation experience is a collaborative effort between faculty (content experts) from the College, providers from the community, and the HSSC faculty and staff.  The foundation of a successful simulation experience is based in the design and development of the scenario.

The methodology in creating a scenario for a simulation experience is objective driven and evidence based. All scenarios include primary and secondary objectives and critical elements.  The process is time consuming but these efforts create a standard and structure to the simulation experience that benefits the learner and evaluator. 

Once the design and development is completed the HSSC faculty and staff work collaboratively with the lead faculty to implement the scenario.  Following the scenario the learning continues in a reflective manner through the debriefing process.

Simulation in the HSSC allows students and practioners to learn and practice collaborating in realistic scenarios in all types of clinical practice settings for improved patient care.  The experience allows students to make mistakes and develop confidence in their ability to provide safe patient care.