The Central Lakes College RN and LPN collaboraive practice simulation for the fall semester took place on the Brainerd campus Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19 in program labs, where a cast of characters portrayed patients with assorted ailments. Dozens of four-person nursing teams each had 20 minutes in the hospital simulation to care for five “patients” and, in some cases, interact with individuals accompanying the patients. The activity tested communication skills with non-English speakers from different cultures, as well as some less-than-cooperative guests. CLC administrators, faculty, and even retired faculty were scheduled to play roles. Patient actors worked off cue cards outlining their conditions. Evaluators provided feedback, s did the students during their debriefing part of the project.