The Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff In the fast Technological growth has become the main focus of nursing discussions main pints are discussed in this blog post.
A Learning Resource Center (LRC) in nursing education is a dedicated space that provides various resources and support for students and faculty to enhance their learning and teaching experiences. It typically includes a physical space with study areas, computers, and various materials like books, journals, videos, and simulations, along with a dedicated staff to manage and assist with these resources.
Organization of the Physical Setting For Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education
Most LRCs are multifaceted areas where much diverse learning can take place. Effective organization of the LRC is key to optimizing usage to meet the students’ needs. Although the setups are different, most contain a simulated client-care area, whether it is a simulated acute care facility wing, room, or a number of client-care components assembled in various designs.
In nursing education, a Learning Resource Center (LRC) is a facility that provides a simulated, realistic environment for students to practice and observe clinical skills, serving as a bridge between theory and practice.
Equipment should be available for both purposes. An adequately designed LRC should, also, have copy cameras, thermal copiers, diazo printer, primary typewriter, and writing guides. These facilities should be located in an area that has work benches (with pressed carbon tops), adequate electrical outlets, and sinks.
The initial planning stages need to include blueprints, where the space is designed and measured. Those programs that have an architect available for this process are fortunate; many times, however, it is the task of the nursing faculty members to complete these designs. The dimensions of the furnishings that are desired for the LRC space need to be considered in terms of the space that is actually available. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
Design plans are created , then amended, then revised, as those involved realize the reality of what the space will allow. Design plans have to allow for storage, a commodity that is rarely in adequate supply in the LRC setting. There also must be some type of desk or office space for the instructors or staff. LRC spaces need to be flexible, as the need to move objects, models, and furniture is constant.
The area in which the student needs to perform client-care needs to be spacious enough to accommodate moving and manipulating equipment. Common areas need to be spacious enough to accommodate the movement of people and equipment, sometimes large pieces of equipment. Tables and desks frequently need to be moved to accommodate group work or discussion, or to be separated when students are working on individual projects.
Mannequins may need to be placed in or out of the beds, depending on the objectives of the particular experiences. Careful observation of the traffic f low and patterns, and on-going evaluation of use, can result in a workable organizational plan. Good initial planning is helpful in organizations, but LRCs need to be responsive to the demands generated by the patterns of current use, and creative interventions in reorganization can be of great benefit.
Preparing the Laboratory Before Use
Another necessity for allowing students to build skill competencies in the LRC is to prepare the LRC adequately for the sessions that have been planned. Whether the faculty of the particular course or the LRC staff will be preparing the laboratory before scheduled activities, there needs to be a method whereby required equipment is provided and available for student use.
Creating a master list of what equipment is required for each experience is a way to accomplish this. All of the equipment needed for a particular laboratory class, or testing session, needs to be set up in advance. Although there may be a system of storing supplies in boxes according to their use in particular tasks, this still needs to be procured, and the contents arranged appropriately. Adaptations to the mannequins may need to be made, depending on the requirements of the scheduled client care scenario.
Specific information pertaining to the requirements involved in setting up the LRC needs to be logged, and kept in an area that is readily accessible. In situations where work study students and graduate assistants who may be employed in the center are not familiar with the names of all the equipment, taking pictures of the specific laboratory setups is a valuable tool.
These pictures can be taken with a digital camera, and not only kept available for referral for lab oratory setups, but also distributed, before the session, to all of the instructors responsible for teaching various sections in a course. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
Organization of the People in the Laboratory
In order for the LRC to meet its objectives, the organization of the people who are going to be in the space is also of utmost importance. This aspect of organization is a challenge because there are so many people who need to use the LRC, and so many reasons various people may need to be in the same space at the same time.
It becomes important for the flow of activity to ensure that everyone in the center is able to accomplish their objectives in as efficient a manner as possible. Of the various people who need to be in the LRC, students and instructors are probably the most prevalent users. Whether the LRC is assigned its own unique staff is dependent on the objectives and resources of the program.
Ideally, it is helpful to have a full-time director, manager, coordinator, or supervisor, to oversee the day-to-day operation of the LRC . It is also helpful to have instructional and support staff; many institutions use work-study students or graduate assistants as staff.
Staff For Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education
When the objectives and numbers of students support a number of LRC staff, staffing patterns need to be established carefully to ensure adequate staffing is available at the times students prefer. Optimal staffing would allow student needs to be met in a timely manner, and would allow staff sufficient time to arrange the equipment and scenarios necessary by the activities taking place.
Once again, tracking patterns of student use is vital. Having students make appointments is one way of ensuring that all students can be accommodated according to their needs. These appointment patterns can be studied, and staffing needs can be adjusted to have staff available at times when most appointments are scheduled. Having students sign in when they enter the LRC will also yield information as to the patterns of use. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
The LRC staff members act as instructors, evaluators, role models, mentors, tutors, counselors, advisors, conservationists, trash persons, repair persons, movers, and clerks. It is necessary to know the objectives of all of the students and groups who are using the center, whatever the course or program. Once an LRC staff member has been hired, he must be given an adequate orientation.
Course outlines, skills checklists, supply lists, scheduling information, and client scenarios all need to be available to staff and course instructors. Even with the most detailed orientation, there will always be new situations to contend with, and there will always be new learning experiences for the staff. Students who work in the LRC as work-study students or graduate assistants need to have a specific job description and clear guidelines as to what their responsibilities are. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
They need to have a clear understanding of confidentiality rules when their role involves interactions with other students. Managing staff is also necessary to ensure smooth functioning and allowing students to meet their objectives. If the role of the LRC staff involves testing students on the performance of an aspect of client care, the staff needs to be consistent in its grading criteria. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
This may be accomplished by using checklists with specific directions; procedural steps; critical factors (statements) that students must perform (example: wash hands before starting the procedure, identify the patient by asking her name, maintaining sterile technique); priority sequences (step one before step two); and time factors (example: start CPR within 1 minute after finding the client lifeless). Finally, staff meetings, where issues such as consistency are addressed, are a necessary component of the role. Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education Its Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff.
Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education: Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff
Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education: Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff
Learning Resource Center In Nursing Education: Organization Physical Setting and LRC Staff
Read More:
https://nurseseducator.com/ learning-resource-center-in-nursing-education-its-skills-or-competencies
https://nurseseducator.com/learning-resource-center-in-nursing-education-its-self-directed-learning
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