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The students, who each played the role of one individual in the simulation, worked with other students to form different “families” to experience the day.
Each participant is a member of the second-degree nursing program, which allows students who already have a bachelor's degree to attain a degree in nursing.
Devynn Hawley, who previously taught at a school in Bridgeport, is one of the 40 students in the program. She played the role of a 1-year-old during the full-day simulation.
“I haven’t been able to say much the whole simulation,” she said of her efforts to stay in character — aside from her interview with the Daily Voice.
But Hawley was able to get a glimpse into the live of a struggling family, one that had difficulty paying the rent and had to use food stamps to survive.
During the simulation, a 9-year-old relative took care of the baby played by Hawley. She was impressed by his level of maturity.
“That’s a big thing to take on as a 9-year-old,” Hawley said.
Sandra Salmon of the Veterans Administration, which partnered with the university to organize the event, said students got “a better glimpse into the world of another person.”
The simulation's goal is to help the participants change their perceptions of people living in veterans and their families living in poverty.
Throughout the event, officials informed “families” of important news through announcements.
Shortly after the Daily Voice arrived, someone announced that parents needed to pick up their kids from the day care center. It was closing due to a lice outbreak, the announcer said.
Carolyn Arnold, an integrated marketing manager with the university, said the simulation provides an eye-opening experience for students.
“Everybody’s trying to make it day by day,” Arnold said of the students, who took on roles ranging from a baby to a senior citizen living alone. “It’s a struggle.”
But armed with the experience from the situation, perhaps the participants can ease the burden of those facing economic and social challenges in their lives.
“They are in a position to help,” Arnold said of the future nurses gathered before her.
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