Nurses learn with lego

It's not just the kindy kids who get to play with Lego in class. A group of nursing students from USQ Fraser Coast have been using the blocks for team-building exercises.

Working in groups of four, the teams were timed as one person in each group constructed a miniature catapult, soldiers and skeleton horse and rider from the popular Castle Lego series.

Nursing and midwifery lecturer Julie Harris said the exercise was designed to encourage teamwork and demonstrate how co-operation and effective communication could reduce risk factors.

'One team member had to build the little Lego scene according to the instructions,' she said.

'The first time around the other team members were not allowed to help the builders.

'During subsequent building exercises the builders could take advice and directions from their team members.'

Ms Harris said the ‘Lego Leaders' activity had been used with experienced clinicians of all disciplines to uncover their team-building abilities.

'The nursing students performed very well,' she said.

'However there was a fair bit of pressure felt by the builders and some frustration by their team members.'

Several of the USQ nursing students pointed out the fact that Lego, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, was designed for six-year-olds.

Media Contact: Katrina Corcoran, USQ Fraser Coast