Future Nurses Gain Real-World Experience in SIH Simulation Lab
JALC Nursing practice valuable skills before heading into clinicals and caring for real patients
Dozens of John A. Logan College (JALC) nursing students stepped into the SIH Simulation Lab on the college campus for an immersive “Skills Day” designed to prepare them for upcoming clinical rotations.
Students practiced hands-on medication administration, IV pushes and digital charting using the same technology they will soon encounter in SIH hospitals. The initiative is part of a growing collaboration between SIH and JALC to bridge classroom learning with authentic, real-world scenarios.
“This collaborative project is amazing in that nursing students are utilizing the exact equipment they’ll see during their clinicals,” said SIH Nursing Professional Development Outcomes Leader for
Onboarding and Orientation Nicci Haney. “We hope it reduces anxiety, builds competency and ultimately helps them deliver safe patient care.”
JALC Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing Kristin Yosanovich emphasized the importance of mastering the medication pass.
“This is a vital skill that nurses use every single day. By practicing in an authentic environment, students gain confidence before stepping into hospital settings.”
For JALC Assistant Professor of Nursing Summar McDonald, the event was deeply personal.
“As a JALC graduate and former SIH nurse, it’s full circle for me. We didn’t have this much hands-on simulation when I was a student. Watching today’s students gain confidence on the same machines they’ll use in practice is incredible.”
First-semester nursing student Rebecca Tullis of Marion called the experience “eye-opening.”
“I don’t have a lot of medical background, so this was a huge step forward. You can’t learn how to pull meds from a textbook—practicing on the Pyxis system makes me feel prepared to walk into clinicals.”
SIH’s Simulation Lab, built in 2012, continues to serve as a training hub for both new hires and students across the region. For JALC’s nursing cohort, the experience represents not just practice, but preparation for the future of patient care in Southern Illinois.