The Challenge
Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) had a manikin in a converted storage room that students and educators crowded into together. They wanted to take their educational environment to the next level.
The Customer
Indiana University School of Nursing is one of the largest nursing schools in the country with traditional baccalaureate, second-degree BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and PhD programs. For the third consecutive year, the school ranked 8th in Federal funding dollars from the National Institutes of Health, and among the many research endeavors in the school's portfolio of scientific inquiry are studies focused on nursing education and simulation in teaching environments.
The School of Nursing is committed to excellence in education, research, practice, and community service, and it is this commitment that led to their recent re-designation as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
The Journey
A generous gift from the estate of Jean Johnson Schaefer, BSN Class of 1950, enabled construction of the new lab to begin. Additional contributions were received from individuals and corporations.
The Discovery
As simulation and the possibilities it affords continue to develop, so did their need for multiple student practice scenarios addressing simple to complex patient cases.
The Solution
The Fairbanks Foundation investment into faculty development facilitated an increase in both the number and expertise of faculty utilizing simulation.
The Implementation
Working both independently and collaboratively, faculty continue to develop simulation scenarios that speak to all specialties and levels of patient care. Their enthusiasm has been great and has led to collaboration with other schools and disciplines for the continued creation of patient cases.
The Results
"The simulation center at IUSON breaks through the limits of traditional learning, giving students access to a virtual reality where innovation and technology make learning interactive and memorable," said Dean Marion Broome.
Students are immersed in patient scenarios in a safe enviornment that challenges their knowledge and forces them to think critically, which results in graduates whoa re able to safely and independently perform care in today's very challenging healthcare arena.
Indiana University School of Nursing
As one of the largest nursing schools in the country, we're committed to lead with excellence in research and education, powered by innovation and partnerships. The School has been consistently ranked in the top ten for both educational research as well as clinical research programs funded by NIH. As a designated center of Excellence (2009-2012) our faculty are recognized nationawide for their expertise in teaching. Degree programs ranging from the baccalaureate to post-graduate work educate over 40% of the nurses in the state of Indiana. Along with our international partnerships, these things have helped make us a leading institution in shaping healthcare and improving patient outcomes. http://nursing.iupui.edu
