Nursing Lab Referral

Overview

Mandatory Referral by Faculty. Students who need a nursing lab referral for a skill make-up should have their faculty member fill out the following form.

Nursing Lab experiences have been designed to provide nursing students opportunities to develop competency in nursing skills essential for competent nursing practice. The Nursing Lab is an ideal setting where students can develop confidence in learning basic principles for a wide variety of nursing skills.

Nursing skills are presented using a holistic approach and the nursing process. Skills progress from simple to complex as students advance in the program. Students will find that one skill builds upon another. As students understand the underlying principles, they will be able to adapt these skills in the clinical setting.

We encourage the use of the lab as preparation for skills on which the student will be evaluated for skills competency and to maintain or learn new skills. Lab personnel will be glad to assist with individual learning needs.

Laboratory Rooms and Supplies

Laboratory rooms include rooms in Building W Annex and Building W. Most equipment and supplies are kept in the prep room. Nursing Lab personnel can assist students with obtaining additional supplies as needed. All supplies are simulated and unfit for human consumption.

Equipment Checkouts

1. Any student checking out authorized lab materials, i.e. supplies, equipment, lab-produced videos, etc., must present a current student picture ID to Nursing Lab personnel at the time of checkout.
2. Checkouts are for overnight only and materials must be returned by 8 a.m. the following day.
3. Materials must be checked back in by lab personnel only.

Skills Practice and Competency

Lab time scheduled on course calendars is mandatory. Demonstrations and practice sessions for skills will be scheduled as published on course calendars. If a partner is needed for practice or competency, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for that partner. Students are encouraged to come to all the practice sessions. If a student needs more practice time, they may schedule an individual appointment with or without a lab instructor. If a nursing instructor assesses the need for more practice for a student, they will refer that student to the lab for extra practice with a lab instructor.

Additional Learning Opportunities

Study guides, video tapes, audio tapes, and computer programs are available. Lab personnel can recommend the appropriate resources to meet the needs of the student.

Learning Material Resources (Videos, DVD, Computer programs)

Student responsibilities in the lab include the following:

1. Participate in all scheduled simulated lab experiences and satisfactorily demonstrate competence. 
2. Notify a faculty member of an intended absence.
3. Leave the client area in the lab neat, and report any broken equipment or supplies to the Lab personnel.
4. Bring required paperwork and supplies to all lab related activities.
5. Do not consume food or beverages in the lab area.
6. When filling out a referral please allow at least 48 hours for processing and provide multiple dates for availability.

Further information regarding the Nursing Simulated Lab can be found in the Santa Fe College Nursing Student Handbook.