Intravenous Training Arms Augment BSC Nursing Students Laboratory Experience
A student nursing laboratory at Bluefield State College recently received a “helping arm,” in fact, eight “helping arms.” The addition of two intravenous training arms permits BSC’s nursing students to practice and perfect their techniques for blood flow, venipuncture, and phlebotomy procedures in a laboratory setting before the students perform the same procedures in a clinical setting.
The IV arms were acquired through the financial support of the Federal Title III program office at BSC. “They provide our students with an opportunity to access IV sites and practice insertion of IV catheters before they go to clinical settings,” noted Sheila Gates, Clinical-Track Assistant Professor of Nursing at BSC. “This helps students gain confidence and gain experience that will be very valuable as they prepare to become medical professionals.” Three IV arms are now in the BSC Bluefield campus nursing lab, three in the BSC nursing lab at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center in Beaver, WV, and two in the BSC radiologic technology lab.
“We are very grateful for the support of the BSC Title III Office and Dr. Guy Sims, BSC Assistant to the President for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Title III.