UW nursing students prepare to transport a manikin through an obstacle course to practice moving an injured person during recent disaster management leadership training. (UW Photo)
The University of Wyoming's Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing recently implemented
comprehensive disaster management leadership training, preparing 39 undergraduate
nursing students to respond effectively in crisis situations.
The hands-on training exposed students to multiple disaster response scenarios, including
emergency action planning and evacuation procedures; patient decontamination following
radiological exposure; burn victim assessment and triage; and horizontal evacuation
techniques using specialized equipment. Students also completed exercises in personal
and family disaster preparedness and reviewed incident command systems used during
large-scale emergencies.
The training reflects new competencies in the School of Nursing curriculum that recognize
nursing’s critical role in disaster response. Nurses comprise the largest segment
of the health care workforce responding to natural and human-caused disasters worldwide.
To simulate realistic disaster conditions, Denise Gable, the school of nursing’s certified
health care simulation operations specialist, transformed the third floor of the Health
Sciences Building, scattering furniture and equipment throughout the space to replicate
the aftermath of a catastrophic event.
“This activity is important to give our senior nursing students hands-on experience
with responding to and leading during a disaster,” says Shannon Schneider, an assistant
lecturer with the school.
Students rotated through multiple stations in groups of seven to eight, with each
scenario emphasizing teamwork, rapid assessment and clinical decision-making under
pressure. Individual students completed worksheets documenting their learning at each
station, demonstrating competency in critical disaster nursing skills.
“Nurses are an integral part of disaster response in their communities and work settings,”
says Sherrill Smith, dean of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. “This learning
experience helps them understand the reality that they must be prepared when a human
or man-made disaster happens in their community.”
“Preparing nurses to lead in times of crisis is a core responsibility of the College
of Health Sciences,” adds Patrick Hardigan, dean of the college. “This innovative,
hands-on training reflects our commitment to equipping Wyoming’s future nurses with
the skills, confidence and leadership needed to protect patients and communities when
it matters most.”
The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing offers several undergraduate pathways to becoming a registered nurse. The Basic BSN Program is a four-year, on-campus Bachelor of Science option. The Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree (BRAND) serves students with previous non-nursing baccalaureate degrees through an accelerated format. The BSN Completion Program includes ReNEW, a statewide partnership with Wyoming’s eight community colleges, and an RN-BSN option offering online components for registered nurses seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
UW nursing students wearing personal protective equipment examine a manikin posing as a patient exposed to radiation, while nursing graduate assistant Sami Mizokami looks on. (UW Photo)
Student participants in the disaster management training, listed by hometown and name,
include:
Broomfield, Colo. -- Madeline Ramar.
Casper -- Kelly Heflin.
Cheyenne -- Kaitlyn Ackerman, Alexandra Martinson, Rhielle Millsap and Christian Roberts.
Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Allyson Fischer.
Commerce City, Colo. -- Allyson Teague.
Douglas -- Chloe Collins, Aubri Schuldies and Craig Thiel.
Folsom, Calif. -- Natalie King.
Fort Collins, Colo. -- Brook Burleson and Teagan Marsh.
Gillette -- Berkeley Christensen, Payton Stavely and Madison Stevens.
Green River -- Brynlee Doak and Hayley Francis.
Henderson, Colo. -- Vahn Williams.
Holly, Colo. -- Jade Casey.
Jackson -- Sage Barlow.
Lakewood, Colo. -- Katherine Smith.
Lander -- Madalin Svan.
Laramie -- Aspyn Lake, Karina Lo, Kody Palmer, Abby Reed, Seneca Shoales and Kaitlyn
Tasher.
Liberty Hill, Texas -- Laila Osborne.
Merino, Colo. -- Bobbie Schreiner.
Mountain View -- Katelynn “Kat” Stuart.
Pinedale -- Olivia Edwards.
Scottsbluff, Neb. -- Brooke Holzworth.
Spokane, Wash. -- Andrew Armstrong.
Sundance -- Ella Bifulco.
Watertown, Minn. -- Alexis Pogreba.
Windsor, Colo. -- Taiten Tuell.
