When Real Learning Looks Like Real Life: Piedmont’s Disaster Drill Prepares Future Nurses for Anything

Looking for a nursing school in Georgia that prepares students for the realities of healthcare? At Piedmont University, nursing students don’t just read about emergencies in textbooks — they train for them. That’s why more than 200 students took part in a full-scale active shooter disaster simulation on March 19 at Loudermilk Field on the Demorest campus, working side by side with first responders from across northeast Georgia.

A tradition dating back two decades, the annual Piedmont University Disaster Drill is designed to simulate the chaos and urgency of a real-life mass casualty event. This year’s scenario: an active shooter on campus with dozens of wounded victims. The drill gave students a rare and vital opportunity to practice lifesaving care under pressure — an experience most nursing schools can’t offer.

Gallery: Disaster Drill 2025

In the first photo of this gallery, Assistant Nursing Professor Taryn Ogle talks with Piedmont University Chief of Police Jim Andrews and other law enforcement personnel. Professor Ogle was largely responsible for organizing this year's drill.

Real-World Nursing Experience in a Controlled Setting

The simulation began around 9:30 a.m. as the shooting suspect fled from local law enforcement and was quickly detained. What followed was a blur of sirens, trauma, and teamwork: nursing students sprinted across the baseball field alongside EMS professionals, triaging victims, managing mock injuries, and stabilizing patients for transport via ambulance and helicopter.

In the simulated scenario:

                  •               4 “victims” were pronounced deceased

                  •               12 were transported in critical condition

                  •               33 others were treated with less severe injuries

All injuries were staged, but the adrenaline was real.

‘What You See on TV Isn’t Real Life’

Senior nursing student Marlene Seebar told Now Habersham that the experience changed her perspective:

“You see it on TV, and what you see on TV is not even remotely close to real life. If you’ve never been in that situation, you can panic. This gives us the tools to stay calm and act fast if it ever happens for real.”

Nursing students Marla Rosado and Lindi Hoersten agreed, telling the media outlet that no textbook could have prepared them for the lessons they learned in those few intense hours.

“We learn the steps and interventions in class,” Rosado said, “but you need to put it into practice.”

“I hope never to experience this in real life,” Hoersten added, “but it was powerful to see how everyone worked together.”

Learning Alongside First Responders

The drill included support and participation from:

                  •               AirLife Georgia

                  •               Habersham County EMS

                  •               Stephens County EMS

                  •               District 2 Public Health

                  •               Local sheriffs departments and hospitals

After the exercise, students gathered around a helicopter as flight nurse Jennifer Davis offered advice and answered questions — a unique moment of mentorship that connected classroom learning to real emergency response.

A Model of Partnership and Preparedness

Law enforcement and EMS leaders also emphasized how important this kind of inter-agency collaboration is.

“Anytime we can practice these exercises in a real-life situation, it’s going to help us,” said Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum. “Just like the nursing students — it gives us the opportunity to test our response and readiness.”

Piedmont University Police Chief Jim Andrews added, “Training is essential, but a lot of this is about relationships — and the partnerships we’ve built are stronger than ever.”

Preparing Nurses for the Front Lines

At Piedmont University, nursing education means more than lectures and labs. It means stepping into complex, real-world scenarios and learning how to act with competence, confidence, and compassion. Through events like the annual Disaster Drill, students gain experience most nurses don’t see until they’re on the job.

If you’re a prospective student looking for a nursing program in Georgia that offers exceptional clinical training, strong community partnerships, and real-life preparedness, Piedmont University delivers.

Learn more about the School of Nursing & Health Sciences at piedmont.edu/nursing-health-sciences.