About my Classrooms
I'm an academic specialist for the Veterinary Nursing Program at Michigan State University. My students enter our undergraduate program with a wide range of backgrounds. Some have previous degrees or are returning to school after years off or after working in a different professional career. However, most of my students are undergraduates who are earning their first degree. Our program offers two pathways, a Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing.
My veterinary nursing (VN) students must be trained in many hands-on nursing skills. Students need to be proficient in technical skills used in a wide range of procedures, such as skills performed aseptically in a surgery suite or effective animal restraint in an exam room. Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine is equipped with these environments, where students learn these valuable skills using live animals or models. Specifically, I teach our hospital procedures and communications, nursing skills for companion animals, and dentistry courses. I also assist in our anatomy and clinical pathology II courses. Below are some of my classrooms where my students learn and practice the skills taught in these courses.
Clinical Skills Laboratory
This skills center is available nearly 24/7 for all veterinary and VN students. This skills center is divided into two learning spaces. The first, pictured above, is an interactive space where teaching models allow students to practice technical skills such as performing phlebotomy, suturing, and operating an anesthesia machine. The second space includes multiple moving exam tables and a large projection screen. The space is approved for live animal use and serves as a great space to practice skills on animals such as physical examinations.
Junior Surgery Surgical Suite
The junior surgery surgical suite serves as a sterile surgical ward for all veterinary and VN students. This space, which must remain clean and sterile for surgical procedures, is equipped with at least 12 surgical tables with assigned anesthesia machines, scavenger systems, and surgical lights. This space also includes sinks for performing appropriate surgical scrubs and a prep room where students can prepare and anesthetize patients prior to entering the surgery room. In this space our VN students learn how to anesthetize patients, perform dental cleanings, and assist during spay and neuter surgeries on live animals.
Clinical Pathology Laboratory
Our students must be proficient in performing urinalysis, fecal analysis, and hematological analysis. This clinical pathology lab includes three rows of double-sided microscopes ideal for teaching and learning, four ventilation hoods for samples, and an instructor microscope which projects microscopic images to the TV screens mounted along the lab walls. With the instructor microscope instructors can share findings with students, review findings with students, and quiz students on their ability to identify correct specimens.
Anatomy Laboratory
The anatomy lab is a learning space full of models and specimens. Specimens such as preserved cadavers, full skeletons, individual bones, and plasticized organs can be found in this large space. These specimens can be found for a variety of different species as well, such as cats, dogs, horses, and cows. This space can also be used for dissections and is an approved space for live animals. Utilizing live animals at times can be helpful, such as using dogs to palpate lymph nodes and arteries after identifying their general locations on a dog skeleton. X-ray view boxes can be found around the perimeter of the room and can be used during any lesson to provide supplemental information and alternative views of structures.
Classroom 1
Located in the College of Veterinary Medicine, this classroom is the primary classroom used by VN students. This room includes moveable chairs and tables for rearrangement during group work sessions and dry erase boards on all four walls. This room is directly next to our student study room, where they have 24/7 access to microscopes, x-ray view boxes, dry erase boards, and a multitude of models to assist in their learning.
Classroom 2
This classroom, located in a building next to the College of Veterinary Medicine building, is the second classroom used by the VN students. This room feels much more comfortable with its subtle color tones and giant floor to ceiling window in the back of the room. Comfortable moving chairs and individual electric outlets can be found at each sitting location. A large projection screen and black board can be found at the front of the classroom.