The Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia (GPNA) continues their partnership with the University of North Texas Health Science Center to provide an innovative learning format for the 5^th annual Simulation Symposium from July 19-22, 2019.

Before beginning their 16-month residency in nurse anesthesia, GPNA’s 109 first-year nurse anesthesia students will converge on the UNT campus to simulate ultra-realistic clinical residency procedures and scenarios. For the second consecutive year, students will gain experience performing ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks on pulsatile cadavers.

New this year is the addition of the case presentation station. Designed by Paul Austin, Ph.D., CRNA and Jose Castillo, Ph.D., CRNA, this station allows students to formulate and present required anesthesia care plans for their patients. Faculty, third-year nurse anesthesia residents, clinical instructors and GPNA alumni will facilitate learning and guide students while they insert spinals, epidurals, central venous catheters and cannulate arteries in designated task trainers. Also during this rigorous four-day event, students will practice their airway management skills and learn airway and gastric volume assessment using ultrasound technology. 

“Simulated experiences with repetitive hands-on practice augment classroom teaching and increase a nurse anesthesia resident’s confidence and competence before delivering their first anesthetic. Scenario-based simulation using task trainers, computerized mannequins and live standardized patients enhances critical thinking skills and positively influences patient outcomes,” Brian Koonce DNAP, CRNA, and simulation center director, said.

Multiple corporate sponsors will be on hand each day to share information with students about employment opportunities and anesthesia equipment. GPNA is proud to partner with all our sponsors. We are grateful for the additional resources that make the annual Simulation Symposium an event that GPNA residents and alumni return to each year.