Hospira Representative Shares State-of-the-Art Intravenous Pumps for Instructional Use

Have you ever tried to explain to someone how to ride a bike, or a horse? It's not quite the same as actually getting them on that six-speed or thoroughbred, is it? Applying the theories and directions talked about in a classroom setting to actually doing the real thing is an incredibly important part of the learning process.

On March 17, Columbia State Nursing II students visited Williamson Medical Center for hands on instruction using state of the art Plum A+ Intravenous (I.V.) pumps provided by Hospira.

"Columbia State's nursing students are getting a special sneak peak at brand new state-of-the-art IV pumps that help today's nurses with syringe delivery, handling alarms, dosage and much more," said Wanda McKnight-Brock of Hospira - a representative that supplies Middle Tennessee hospitals with more than 8,000 medical products. "These pumps come equipped with safety software that features bi-directional wireless communication - allowing pharmacists, quality assurance folks and nursing administrators to track and monitor how a particular drug is being administered and how much should be used on a particular patient, via a laptop or desktop computer.

"25 years ago, pumps were simple," said Laura Oettel, Nursing Instructor at Columbia State. "Today, we need to learn the technology, manage the pumps and tend to the patient's needs. This type of hands on instruction is important for nurses to become familiar with using today's technology, before they actually have to use it on patients. In Nursing II, we study and emphasize I.V. theory in lectures, but students need to be able to connect what they've heard in class to what they're going to be doing in real life. Most nurses don't get this type of hands on instruction until they're actually out in the field, so we believe we're giving our students a head start."

Just as Oettel expected, the students absolutely loved getting out of the classroom and learning in a real-life hospital setting.

"It's been really cool actually putting what you learn in the classroom to work," said second semester nursing student and Nashville resident Joshua Motes. "Instruction like this is what I love about Columbia State. There's a great student-teacher ratio, and the instructors do a great job supporting the students. They are definitely a great asset to the school. It's hard, but they actually get you to start thinking like a nurse!"

"After getting to use these pumps today, I'm starting to feel like I really know what I'm doing," added nursing student and single mother of two from Antioch, Chiyoko Scruggs.