Nursing - Roma Azienda Ospedaliera Sant’Andrea

Miriam Cultrera

The “Professional Lab” module aims to support the acquisition and consolidation of nursing practical skills through professional laboratory activities. The laboratory sessions are designed to integrate and practically apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures, within a simulated environment that faithfully reproduces real clinical situations.

Students, under the supervision of experienced tutors, will carry out guided exercises using standardized operational checklists, covering the main nursing care procedures (e.g., measurement of vital signs, wound care management, drug administration techniques, patient mobilization, and management of medical devices).

Particular emphasis will be placed on:
• the correct technical execution of professional gestures,
• patient safety,
• clinical risk management,
• the ability to apply ethical principles and communication skills in healthcare settings.

The objective of the laboratory is to develop practical competence, clinical reasoning, and decision-making abilities necessary for the autonomous and safe management of nursing activities, in preparation for clinical internships.

Expected Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Correctly apply basic and advanced nursing procedures in a simulated environment;
• Comply with safety protocols and clinical risk prevention measures;
• Recognize the importance of ethical and communicative approaches in nursing practice;
• Self-assess their technical skills using checklists and supervised feedback.

Basic theoretical knowledge of general and specialized nursing disciplines acquired during previous modules. Ability to apply principles of hygiene, safety, communication, and clinical risk management.

The laboratory program focuses on the acquisition and consolidation of essential nursing technical skills through practical, simulated, and supervised exercises.
The activities will cover the following areas:
• Techniques for measuring vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation);
• Wound care management procedures (basic and complex dressing techniques, aseptic methods);
• Safe drug administration procedures (oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous routes);
• Management of medical devices (urinary catheterization, nasogastric tube management, drains);
• Patient mobilization and positioning techniques (prevention of pressure injuries, assisted mobilization techniques);
• Patient safety management and clinical risk prevention;
• Effective communication in nursing practice;
• Proper use of operational checklists for self-assessment and performance improvement.

Each session will include a brief theoretical introduction, supervised practical exercises, and a feedback and self-assessment phase.

• Updated manuals of nursing techniques (e.g., “Fundamentals of Nursing” – Potter & Perry)
• Clinical and nursing care guidelines and protocols adopted by the institution
• Educational material provided during the course

The laboratory activities will take place in person during the second semester (March–June).
Students will attend weekly sessions lasting 3 hours each, during which they will engage in guided practical exercises and simulated nursing care activities under the supervision of experienced tutors.

Attendance at the laboratory sessions is mandatory. Students must attend at least 75% of the scheduled hours in order to be eligible for final assessment.

The assessment will be based on the active participation in professional laboratory activities and on the application of the acquired knowledge and skills during the clinical internship. Participation and practical application are the only requirements necessary to successfully complete the module.

• Describe the correct procedure for measuring blood pressure.
• What are the main risks associated with intravenous drug administration, and how can they be prevented?
• Explain how to perform a sterile dressing of a surgical wound.
• List the main steps for managing a urinary catheter.
• How can pressure injuries be prevented in bedridden patients?
• What elements must always be checked before administering a drug?
• How is an operational checklist used during a nursing care activity?