In Fairmont, some nurses in training are getting some hands-on-training through a new nursing simulation lab.

It's part of every nursing student's training to go to a hospital and get experience working with actual patients. But in an emergency or during a difficult procedure the students are often only allowed to observe.

So, at Fairmont State University, teachers have found a way to make sure students get the training they need, without any risk to patients.

In the new nursing simulation lab at FSU, nursing students are taking care of a cardiac patient.

"I have pneumonia and heart problems," the dummy patient told the nurses.

The simulator has three patients: an adult, an infant and a young child. Each simulation is designed to act like a real human patient.

"He breaths- you can feel his breath coming out of his mouth and his chest rises and falls. You feel and see the pulses in his arms, legs and knees. He makes real bowel sounds, and they can set it where he actually bleeds," explained second year nursing student Kimberly Toler of the robotic mannequin the students use for practice.

"It's a very safe way for students to do some very difficult skills," said FSU Associate Nursing Professor Connie Moore.

"You wouldn't think you would be nervous, but it is really nerve-wrecking to work on a dummy, because you know he could die. You know it's a dummy, but you don't want him to die!," said Toler.

The simulator gives students the chance to practice a variety of medical skills and react to changes in the patient's condition. Teachers can set a computer program to simulate any medical illness in the curriculum. Students say, so far, they have mostly practiced cardiac procedures.

But, beyond the medical skills and the critical thinking, the students are learning they also have to learn how to interact and communicate with the patient.

"The instructors talk for the patients, so we never know what's going to come out of their mouth! You just have to react like you would in a hospital," said nursing student Amanda Arnett.

"They always drill into our head that you have to talk to your patient! Patient communication is what's going to calm them down. Its not always what your doing to them but how your doing it," said nursing student Tommy Green.

This is the very first semester the simulation lab is in use but teachers are already looking to expand the program.

Their next idea is to get a birthing simulation. However, the simulators are about $45,000 each, so the program is accepting donation.

A campaign through the Fairmont State Foundation is under way to complete and fully equip the nearly 4,000 square food training facility with six training stations.

To be part of the campaign, send a check made payable to the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. to 1201 Locust Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554. Or for more information, contact Keith Foster, Director of Major Gifts, Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. at (304) 367-4012.