UNI nursing program receives $275,000 grant
A grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust will unlock specialized, hands-on learning experiences for students in the University of Northern Iowa’s brand-new nursing program.
Nancy Kertz, head of the Department of Nursing and Public Health, said the $275,000 grant will enable her department to offer highly realistic simulations in the fields of obstetrics and intensive care. The training will develop students’ ability to perform under pressure and work in a dynamic care environment.
“Our students need to be prepared to provide complex care in high-risk, emergency situations,” Kertz said. “As these types of emergencies are relatively rare, it’s possible that students may not encounter them in their clinical experiences. That’s where repeated practice in a low-stakes, simulated environment is really effective.”
The nursing department plans to purchase two manikins with a range of functions to simulate maternal and critical care patients. Students will learn to recognize and treat pregnancy-related emergencies, and to provide care for patients in an intensive care unit setting. The equipment will add to an inventory of simulators available to UNI nursing students.
