Christina,
Students love props as you have learned. My students get excited when I bring in something from the field and let them see, touch and interact with the object(s). These are what I call "connectors", that is they connect the content with the minds of the students via their tactile senses. Since you teach such an interesting area of nursing I know your students really enjoy the classes where you bring in the tools that they can handle and learn about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.