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Nursing Skills Lab |
California is in the midst of a serious shortage of nurses and this shortage has
negatively affected the state’s health care system. California ranks 50th, last
in the nation, in the number of working registered nurses per 100,000 population.
Because of this shortage, California’s public higher education system, including
California State University, has been urged to train more nurses. California State
Fullerton (CSUF) has responded by implementing two new pathways for students to
become nurses at the baccalaureate (BSN) and master’s level (MSN). To provide the
supportive structure for these new program options, Cal State Fullerton has committed
to providing adequate faculty, classroom and skills lab space, and staff.
One essential component of nursing education today is the provision of adequate
training space and state of the art equipment. At every level of patient care, hands-on
experience is the best teacher. In order for students to learn relevant skills and
patient care techniques, they must practice on up-to-date equipment that matches
the complex technology present in today's hospital environment. There are now high-tech
mannequins, called human patient simulators, that allow students the opportunity
to master complex procedures and skills in a safe and supportive learning laboratory
environment. Simulated training experiences prepare the student to respond competently
in true-to-life patient care emergencies where minutes count in saving lives. Simulated
learning activities also reduce student anxiety by allowing the student to repeat
skills until they gain competence and confidence in performing patient care. These
learning experiences can be structured to meet individual student learning needs
as they progress through the program and complement classroom teaching by allowing
students to practice in a Skills Lab what they are learning in class.
To provide space for this type of simulated training, CSUF began construction of
a Skills Lab space in December 2006 with an anticipated completion date of July
2007. This project has involved remodeling of approximately 5,000 square feet in
the Kinesiology and Health Science Building. The new Nursing Skill lab will include
a training laboratory with simulated nursing care areas, including hospital beds
and equipment, a 12 seat conference room, and 30 seat computer classroom with video
broadcasting capability. The lab, once ready, will contain an estimated $500,000
worth of computer programs, audiovisual, and other training materials that will
allow nursing students to practice skills in a simulated hospital environment. With
the support of these facilities, 60 students per year will be able to enter the
nursing profession with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and licensure
as a registered nurse beginning fall 2007. The following year an additional 40 students
will be selected to enter the nursing profession at the baccalaureate level as first
time freshman. With the two planned pathways, entry-level BSN and MSN, CSUF will
provide training for an additional 100 would-be-nurses annually.
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