Unlocking Success: Introducing New Success Lab Class 

    Here at Bolivar Technical College, we’re constantly seeking ways to empower our students on their journey to becoming competent and compassionate nurses. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newest initiative: the Success Lab, a designated time designed to propel our nursing students. 

What exactly is the Success Lab? 

    Think of it as a turbocharged study hall, but with a focus on addressing the specific needs and challenges of our group. Led by experienced instructors, the Success Lab provides a supportive environment where students can tackle areas they’re struggling with head-on, ensuring they grasp crucial information and skills essential for their success in the program and beyond. 

    One of the key strengths of our Success Lab is its flexibility and adaptability. We understand that each student has unique learning needs at different times during their program, so we tailor our sessions to cater to those ever-changing needs. Whether it’s mastering complex concepts, honing clinical skills, or tackling challenging assignments, our Success Lab is there to provide the guidance and resources needed for every student to thrive.

Success Lab in Action 

    Many of our Practical Nursing students are currently taking Anatomy & Physiology I (A&P I) and had an upcoming muscular system exam.  So, we arranged a review session led by Dr. Bill Gray aka “Coach”. This targeted review not only clarified concepts, but also boosted confidence levels, ensuring our students were well-prepared for their exam. During the same session, the students who had already mastered the material in a previous A&P I course utilized the time to collaborate on a large PVC charting assignment. It’s this versatility and adaptability that make our Success Lab invaluable for all students.  

    In another Success Lab, nursing students rotated through seven stations practicing a variety of medication administration skills.  At each station, students were presented with a different activity to help solidify the information they learned that week.  

Station 1: administering medication internally 

Station 2: matching game to match the correct term with the description 

Station 3: identifying landmarks on the body 

Station 4: identifying and describing the use of each supply needed for medication administration 

Station 5: being a “model patient” for a classmate 

Station 6: write a prescription correctly  

Station 7: three medication checks

“I learn so much better with hands on activities like this, and feel confident for our exam now,” Andrea Vessey, BTC LPN student said.  

At BTC, we’re committed to fostering an environment where every student can flourish. The Success Lab is just one of the many tools we provide to support our students along their path to success. Whether it’s through targeted sessions, personalized resources, or hands-on support, we’re here to help our Nursing students unlock their full potential and emerge as confident, competent nurses ready to make a difference in the world.  

End of Semester Update 

    After one semester taking the Success Lab class, the average grade on the first Fundamentals of Nursing exam was statistically higher than previous LPN cohorts and the national mean score. We also have more LPN students moving onto the second semester than ever before! We are excited to witness the positive impact of the Success Lab on our students’ learning journeys and look forward to celebrating their successes along the way.