by Staff writer
On April 23rd, nursing students at Carroll Community College took part in a Mass Casualty Exercise at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center as part of their emergency preparedness training. This immersive simulation was a collaborative effort involving nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Paramedic students, along with Carroll County Emergency Services. The goal was to provide hands-on experience in managing large-scale emergencies, helping students develop critical skills in triage, assessment, and immediate care for multiple victims.
The training scenario simulated a natural disaster with secondary explosions, requiring students to respond to victims with a variety of injuries, including burns, wounds, respiratory issues, and mental health conditions. The event emphasized real-world challenges such as limited resources, time-sensitive decision-making, and high-stress environments. Nursing students, particularly those in their fourth term, practiced vital nursing concepts like prioritization, communication, and collaboration under pressure.
“By providing real-world disaster experience, this event not only enhanced students’ technical nursing skills but also fostered invaluable teamwork and communication. As future nurses continue to face unexpected challenges in both every day and crisis situations, these types of simulations will play a key role in improving the outcomes of future real-life events,” said Britney Harden, Assistant Professor of Nursing.
The significance of this training is further underscored by the projected nursing shortage in Maryland. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis forecasts a shortfall of 13,590 registered nurses (RNs) in the state by 2037. This places added importance on preparing new nurses who can confidently enter the workforce and respond to public health crises. Jessica Dell, a nursing student participant, highlighted how the rigorous and thoughtfully designed curriculum at Carroll ensures that students are well-prepared to meet these demands.
Furthermore, this exercise occurred just ahead of National Nurses Week (May 6–12), a time to recognize the essential contributions of nurses across the country. Maryland ranks among the top five metropolitan areas for RN employment, joining states like New York, California, Illinois, and Texas, according to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. However, despite high employment levels, nurse training programs are not expanding rapidly enough to meet the growing demand. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has also raised concerns about the slow growth in nursing school enrollment, making initiatives like Carroll’s simulation-based training even more critical.
Through this event, Carroll Community College reaffirmed its dedication to experiential, student-centered education. By allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, high-stakes scenarios, the college is ensuring its graduates are not only technically competent but also emotionally resilient and collaborative in the face of crisis. As future nurses prepare to enter a dynamic healthcare landscape, training opportunities like this Mass Casualty Exercise are essential in shaping a workforce ready to protect and heal communities.
For more information, visit Carroll’s nursing program.
