Ginger Ireland-Hoffmann, MSN, RN, CCRN, clinical nurse II, Cardiothoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit/HC3 at The University of Kansas Health System and adjunct and affiliate clinical faculty for KU School of Nursing, has been teaching KU students for over 20 years. During that time she's learned that boredom often slows learning. So, to keep students engaged, Ireland-Hoffman takes her students on "field trips" throughout the hospital to meet new health system employees in roles that interact with patients.

Ireland-Hoffman typically introduces students to new clinical areas about halfway through the semester to help them see other nursing specialties.

"I always want the KU nursing students to see the human side not just the patient side," said Ireland-Hoffman. "I introduce them to patients and families so they learn the impact that nurses have on their daily lives and how their care can be instrumental in the healing process."

In the morgue, students meet Dr. Ciara Wright, decedent affairs supervisor. During their time in the morgue, they have an opportunity to see and hold normal and abnormal organs.

Students also meet Mark Puno, RN, CEN, a key member of the health system's emergency department staff for 25 years and affiliate clinical faculty with KU School of Nursing. Puno takes students to the helipad and through the emergency department. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) tours are led by Unit Educators Jenna Todd and Lauren Smith. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) rounds out the tour where students learn about interdisciplinary teams and how important the entire healthcare team is in saving lives.