The Lyon College Department of Nursing will host its first-ever Clinical Skills Expo on Monday, Feb. 2, giving current nursing students a hands-on jump start on clinical patient care while offering area high school students a fun, up-close look at the nursing profession.The event was originally scheduled for Jan. 26 but was rescheduled because of the threat of inclement weather.

The expo will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Lyon College campus and will include approximately 60 visiting high school students, in addition to Lyon College nursing students. The event is designed to provide hands-on training in essential clinical skills required at the beginning of nursing education and practice.

During the expo, participants will rotate through skill-based learning stations focused on foundational patient care techniques. Training will include vital signs, head-to-toe assessments, medical history and patient intake, urinalysis, hand hygiene, bloodborne pathogens, and proper use of personal protective equipment, including donning and doffing sterile gloves. Students will also practice CPR and choking response, learn to recognize warning signs in patients, and gain introductory experience drawing and interpreting blood values.

In addition to technical skills, the expo will emphasize professional nursing knowledge, skills and attitudes, including service learning, ethical standards outlined in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, HIPAA compliance, cultural and spiritual competence, and professional expectations related to appearance, flexibility, humility and unconditional acceptance.

“The Clinical Skills Expo allows our nursing students to build confidence and competence before entering clinical settings,” said Dr. Rebecca Le, director of nursing education at Lyon College. “By practicing these skills in a supportive, hands-on environment, students are better prepared to begin patient care, while our visiting high school students gain an authentic look at what nursing education involves.”

The event reflects Lyon College’s commitment to experiential learning, clinical excellence and community engagement, while strengthening the pipeline of future healthcare professionals.

For more information about the expo, please contact Dr. Rebecca Le at Rebecca.Le@lyon.edu.