Disaster Drill Puts Towson University Nursing Students To The Test

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)—It's not unusual for someone to be nervous before starting a new job.  But what if your new job meant the difference between life and death?

As Mike Schuh reports, Towson University wanted to stress out its students.

Get ready Alexander Rayner, Seraya Malke and Andrew Ayres. You're about to suffer. Or at least look like you are once Ashley Richmond has her way.

"On your cheek, there's going to be a bruise, OK?" Richmond said.

It's Halloween in April. A few hours of looking like a disaster victim helps spring-board the careers of nursing in training.

"They think they know what to do because they have it all written out but once they get in the actual scenario they actually have to do something they don't realize how much time it took or the emotions  or they have to interact with the actual patient," said Lisa Crabtree.

The real learning comes when casualties flood through the door with very real looking injuries.

"You have to work through the clutter," said Laura Reese, nursing student. "You have to figure out what do to and what to do first."

"The ability to focus when you're in a scene like this is a precious gift," said Dr. Niki Austin.

Beyond the college students, even the 80 middle schoolers from Friends School of Baltimore got something out of this morning.

"So we feel this is a service because we are helping students prepare for an actual event that could take place," Erika Smith, Friends School of Baltimore.

Joppatowne High School and the Maryland Military Department also contributed to this disaster drill.