I have to disagree with the anonymous poster from Sunday. I too am a nursing student, and I was a veterinary surgical assistant for several years. I have used the $100,000.00 simulation dummies and they are nowhere like the real thing. Dummies do not react differently to various anesthesias. Dummies do not have the variations on placement and angles, and locations that living bodies do. Dummies do not have rolling veins and plunging veins, or vasoconstrictions, and it is very difficult to tell when you blow the vein on a dummy. the flesh of a dummy is nothing like the flech of a living creature. I do not like animal testing or use for unneeded research or commercial testing. If a student practises on the physiological simulators and has a good touch, then I would not mind them working on my ferret. The animal is under sedation, and otherwise lives a good life. I do not want that medical student to have any human baby the first living being he ever intubates, and when he scrapes the mucosa say "Whoops". If vocal cords are accidentaly damaged, I would rather it be on a ferret that does not depend on them, than a human being who would be handicapped and stigmatized for life. Agree with me or not, I am sure of my position and proudly post my name. Nursing students should always have the courage of their convictions. How else do you stand up to a Dr. about to kill your patient. Thanks! Ken [Posted in FML 7208]