CMH CEO tours BTC’s Skills and Simulation Center

    Preparing the next generation of nurses takes more than classroom learning. At Bolivar Technical College, students gain hands-on experience in a setting designed to mirror real patient care. 

    Michael Calhoun, CEO and executive director of Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, recently visited BTC’s Skills and Simulation Center for a hands-on look at how students are trained using advanced equipment made possible through HRSA grant funding. 

“This really brought it to a whole new level,” Calhoun said after the tour. He saw firsthand how technology is helping prepare nursing students for real-world patient care. 

 Erin Mock, Director of Nursing Education at BTC, and Sarah Colby, Skills and Simulation Center Coordinator and nursing faculty member, led the tour. They walked Calhoun through the progression of nursing education at BTC and demonstrated how grant-funded enhancements have expanded hands-on learning opportunities for students. 

 

Building on a Strong Foundation  

    Bolivar Technical College is known for graduating nurses who enter the workforce prepared, confident and clinically capable. Students develop strong hands-on skills throughout the program, allowing for a smooth transition into real health care settings. The grant expanded the tools and resources used in training, strengthening an already solid experience for students. 

Through grant support, BTC was able to: 

• • Acquire six chest task trainers for practicing sterile technique and procedures such as PICC line access and central line dressing changes 

• • Add six wound care trainers to provide hands-on experience with complex wounds  

• • Purchase the Sim Vox communication device to enhance communication during simulation scenarios   

• • Provide consumable skills supplies so students can repeatedly practice key nursing skills 

    These additions have expanded opportunities for active learning while helping students build confidence and competency in high-risk clinical skills within a safe training environment.  

From Hands-On Practice to Real-World Care 

    The tour began in the skills lab, where students start in the Fundamentals of Nursing course. In this setting, students learn essential nursing skills using task trainers that replicate real clinical procedures. This allows them to practice repeatedly before performing procedures in clinical settings. 

   As students advance, they move into high-fidelity simulation, where they apply what they have learned in more complex scenarios.  

    The progression of the curriculum at BTC is intentional: 

1. 1. 1. Learn the skill  
      2. Build the knowledge  
      3. Apply the knowledge  
      4. Develop critical thinking 

    Artificial intelligence upgrades to BTC’s Alex simulation manikins, funded through the Missouri State Board of Nursing NEIP grant, have made simulations more dynamic and interactive. The manikins can communicate with students, respond to interventions, and evolve throughout a scenario.  

 

    The Skills and Simulation Center offers a safe environment where students can practice communication, ask questions, and learn from mistakes. This builds confidence and competence before they enter clinical settings.   

“I really appreciate the focus on communication and patient safety here,” Calhoun said. “That culture of speaking up and learning from each other is something we care a lot about at CMH.” 

    Calhoun’s visit highlighted the strong partnership between Citizens Memorial Hospital and Bolivar Technical College, as well as a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses for the region’s health care workforce. By investing in advanced training tools and simulation technology, BTC continues to prepare graduates to deliver high-quality patient care. 

Explore the Center and Get Started 

    Bolivar Technical College offers tours of the Skills and Simulation Center to: 

• • Prospective students exploring nursing programs 

• • CMH employees interested in advancing their education  

• • Community members interested in health care training  

• • Potential donors and partners 

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For those ready to take the next step, enrollment is open for upcoming cohorts in: 

• Practical Nursing (LPN) 
• Professional Nursing (RN) 
• LPN to RN bridge
• Paramedic to RN bridge 
• RN to BSN completion (100% online)

To learn more about the Skills and Simulation Center or to schedule a tour, call 417-777-5062.