With many students per class, it is difficult to provide each student with an opportunity to practice skills such as discontinuing IVs and removing sutures consistently. It was not time efficient to keep reproducing activities on a task trainer. Prefabricated skin task trainer arms are very expensive and with students poking, sticking, peeling, etc. the prefabricated skin eventually gets worn down. We also need more than one task trainer so each student can demonstrate skills with their own trainer.

Utilize cheap, individualized, readily available materials to produce an individualized task trainer. I purchased a pool noodle, cut it into 12-inch sections and put many tasks on one noodle. I included nursing tasks that involved removal, such as sutures, staples, saline lock, Stat lock, and tape. This can be adjusted to all or one task. Each student can then have their own noodle to work with at a fraction of the cost. It can be used again and again. Substitutions of different materials can be utilized. We have suture kits, but for someone that does not have actual suture, sewing thread or dental floss works just as well. It is excellent for return demonstration purposes and can be customized to what students need to practice. When students are done, noodles can easily be stored in a small bin. Tattoo skin has also been taped around the noodle to help simulate skin issues such as burns for a dressing change. It also provides a way to have diversity with different colored skin. Tattoo skin is not required but is an option.

• To provide a cost-effective means for individualized student learning.
• The student will be able to practice essential skills, including suture removal, staple removal, saline lock insertion, and removal.

1. Pool noodles
2. Serrated knife
3. Tape (all tapes work)
4. Staples (office stapler or a medical staple gun)
5. Suture, dental floss or sewing thread
6. 18-24 gauge sized IV catheters (optional)
7. IV catheter extension set (saline well) (optional)
8. Statlock (optional)
9. Tattoo skin (optional)
10. Occlusive dressing (optional)

1. Cut pool noodles into 12-inch sections using a serrated knife.
2. Take each noodle section and staple several staples in a vertical row.
3. In another area on the same noodle, sew a few sutures in a vertical row.
4. Utilizing the same noodle with staples and sutures, place one piece of tape directly on the noodle. It should not be on top of the staples or sutures.
5. Again, find an open area on the existing noodle with the staples, sutures, and tape. Insert an IV catheter. Screw on the IV catheter extension (saline well). Put an occlusive dressing over the IV catheter insertion site. Add one piece of tape over the occlusive dress to hold the extension portion in place. Each task should have a designated space on the noodle.
6. If you choose to add a statlock, rotate the same 12-inch noodle with sutures, staples, tape, and IV saline well. Stick on the statlock according to directions on an available area.
7. Have students remove imbedded tasks included on the noodle per policy and procedures of the practicing site.
8. Reuse the noodle segment as needed.