The West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) School of Nursing recently conducted a successful simulated mass casualty event,showcasing its commitment to preparing students for real-world healthcare scenarios.

The event was held at WGTC’s Coweta campus and aimed to provide nursing students with invaluable hands-on experience in managing and responding to large-scale emergency situations. By simulating a mass casualty event, students were able to apply their knowledge and skills in a dynamic and high-pressure environment, ultimately enhancing their readiness to serve the community.

The nursing faculty created lifelike scenarios, mimicking emergencies such as natural disasters, accidents, and other mass casualty incidents. Students were challenged to prioritize patient care and make critical decisions.

Linsey Fielder, Dean of the School of Nursing, said, "This simulated mass casualty event is a testament to our commitment to preparing our nursing students for the unexpected challenges they may face in their careers. It not only provided valuable experiential learning but also encouraged teamwork and problem-solving."

The event involved not only nursing students, faculty, and staff but also students, faculty, and staff from other programs within the College. The Emergency Medical Services program aided in arranging the event and assessed patients in the field. Students in the Esthetics program used moulage makeup to give the mass casualty victims lifelike injuries.

Air Evac Lifeteam, a helicopter air ambulance service, also joined the event. Their crew simulated airlifting patients with life-threatening injuries to ensure they reached the hospital quickly.

According to its website, Air Evac Lifeteam (AEL) is the preeminent provider of air ambulance services to communities in need of advanced emergency health care and rapid medical transport. AEL operates more than 150 helicopter air ambulance bases across 18 states. Flight crews, consisting of a pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic, are on duty seven days a week to respond to the scene of an emergency or providetransportation between medical facilities.

"The innovative simulated mass casualty event organized by our nursing faculty is a testament to our commitment to excellence in education,” WGTC President Dr. Julie Post said. “By providing our nursing students with real-world, hands-on experience in crisis management and patient care, we are shaping future healthcare professionals who are not just well-prepared but also compassionate and capable of making a difference when it matters most."

For more information about the West Georgia Technical College School of Nursing, please visit www.westgatech.edu or contact Linsey Fielder, Dean of the School of Nursing, at [email protected].

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visitwww.westgatech.edu.