FACULTY
PROFILE
Lydia Massias , Ed . D ., Professor of Nursing and Health Programs Simulator
We ’ ve Come a Long Way !
The classroom projection screen displays a virtual hospital room with two nursing students bedside attending to the patient by taking vitals , practicing sterile techniques , and doing assessments . These students are wearing PHSC ’ s new Oculus glasses to interact virtually with the onscreen setting while other class members watch in-person or view online . The virtual reality goggles allow nursing students to access more than 100 patient scenarios to enhance learning and gain proficiency by putting skills into practice in a safe environment . Class members can log in and view the scenario from perspectives including observer or patient .
This cutting-edge technology and immersive classroom experience were not always the case . Lydia Massias , Ed . D ., Professor of Nursing and Health Programs Simulator , remembers a time at the College before computers or email , a time when she traveled between the East and West Campuses to teach and run lab classes . The lab was shared with other instructors and classes , and she had an assigned day . Massias would bring all the supplies needed for that week ’ s lab class with her to campus .
One of those ‘ lab supplies ’ she transported was the child mannequin ‘ Mikey ’ who was dressed in shorts and a shirt , and apparently very realistic . As Massias recalls stopping for a quick lunch in McDonald ’ s , the drive-thru operator asked
if she wanted a Happy Meal for her son in the back seat — where Mikey was strapped in with a seat belt .
Massias has had many moments in her 30 years at the College . In the 90s , she was offered the opportunity to help design the nursing lab space when the M Building , now the Michael J . and M . Frances Skarupa Health and Science Building , was being built . She was also eager to say ‘ yes ’ when then Director of Nursing Mary Fenimore asked if simulators should be pursued . Massias recalls the early simulator labs that had folding tables draped in sheets to represent hospital beds .
Massias is an early adopter for things that will help her students and enhance the learning experience . She uses all the resources at her disposal . Massias is a theater actress and singer who cofounded New Tampa Players . She utilized her theater connections to get actor and actress friends to participate in home health lab simulations .
During her tenure at PHSC , Massias helped pioneer the path of creating real-world class and lab experiences for her nursing students , so they are fully prepared in hospital and health care settings for their clinicals and their careers . Infusing her classroom and labs with much of herself , Massias remarks “ I ’ ve stayed because of the people I work with — they are like family , and my reward is seeing the students succeed .”
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