Top Story
March 12, 2010
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Grant helps nursing program upgrade equipment, computers
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Nursing students are learning useful techniques in the newly renovated lab in the Technology Building. |
Metropolitan State College of Denver Nursing Department will soon acquire more of the tools necessary to properly train nursing professionals for the workforce. The department recently received a grant for $80,000 from local grant-making foundation Caring for Colorado, which works to make accessible health care a reality for the people of Colorado.
“Metro State is playing an important part in creating a strong nursing workforce for Colorado,” says Susan Hill, vice president of Caring for Colorado. “They are doing a good job training nurses,” she adds, commending Metro State for “the notion of ‘grow your own’ to add to the community.”
The grant money will be used for equipment, computers and software in the department's newly renovated room 114 in the Technology Building.
The remodeled room was partitioned into four sections. The first narrow section has two operating tables and eight computers. “We hope to have 20 computers in here once the upgrades are complete,” says Chair Linda Stroup.
The other three sections are divided into two operating rooms, and a control center in the middle. The rooms are partitioned using two-way mirrors. Once the labs are furnished, professors will be able to sit in the room and monitor students' progress through specific procedures.
“This will prepare students by replicating specific situations,” says Stroup. “Everyone is excited to have this upgrade and provide students with experience.”
A large part of the grant will fund the department’s acquisition of High-Fidelity Patient Simulation dummies that have a multitude of functions. Among them is the ability to speak, as well as demonstrate symptoms as commanded by the professors who overlook the simulation.
“We believe that this technology will help them hone their skills. The High Fidelity Patient Simulation is a really important part of that,” says Caring for Colorado’s Hill.
In addition to the equipment the grant money will also provide for the most current software, helping Metro State students gain an edge in the health care profession.
