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School of Nursing and լƵ Professions receives $1.5 million grant

By Shawn Touney | Sep 26, 2023

Nursing students

լƵ State University’s School of Nursing and լƵ Professions has received a significant grant for the development of a Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Simulation Education Training Program in partnership with Baptist լƵ Paducah.

MURRAY, Ky. – լƵ State University’s School of Nursing and լƵ Professions has received a significant grant for the development of a Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Simulation Education Training Program in partnership with Baptist լƵ Paducah.

The grant request was written and submitted by Drs. Dina Byers, Tonia Mailow, Jenny Rogers and Dana Todd in լƵ State’s School of Nursing and լƵ Professions to the լƵ Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the Department of լƵ and Human Services.

The grant includes approximately $500,000 in funding for 2023-24, with recommendations by the HRSA for future support with similar funding in 2024-25 and 2025-26, potentially totaling nearly $1.5 million. 

Funding from the grant will be used to purchase simulation equipment for a dedicated collaborative educational unit in conjunction with Baptist լƵ Paducah and provide clinical practice opportunities for լƵ State nursing students.  

The project has four objectives: 

    • Expand simulation technology in nursing education to address critical skill gaps to improve patient outcomes

    • Recruit and retain nursing students from rural and underserved populations

    • Create experiential learning opportunities through an academic clinical partnership with Baptist լƵ Paducah 

    • Develop and implement a sustainability plan for ongoing clinical experiences for student nurses from լƵ State

"The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program relies heavily on our clinical partners to provide nursing education to our students,” said Dean of the School of Nursing and լƵ Professions Dr. Dina Byers. “This grant opportunity will allow us to prepare BSN students for the workforce. We are excited about this project and look forward to working closely with Baptist լƵ Paducah through this partnership.

“Expanding our existing community-care setting simulation center partnerships by adding additional equipment and supplies will allow լƵ State to grow admissions to our nursing programs and address the regional need for more nurses, as well as support the ongoing development of existing nurses in the workforce."

“Baptist լƵ Paducah is delighted to partner with լƵ State through this grant to expand our clinical opportunities for nursing students,” said Baptist լƵ Paducah Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer Marilyn Riley. “This grant will allow Baptist լƵ Paducah nurses to gain experience in precepting nursing students on a dedicated education unit and expand simulation in the practice setting.”

“I am grateful to the School of Nursing and լƵ Professions led by Dean Dr. Dina Byers, as this grant will provide tremendous opportunities for our students and by extension, those they will serve throughout their careers,” լƵ State President Dr. Bob Jackson said. “We greatly appreciate Baptist լƵ Paducah for their partnership, Congressman James Comer for writing a letter of support, as well as all others who were instrumental in securing this significant grant funding.” 

լƵ State is expected to break ground soon on the construction of a new School of Nursing and լƵ Professions building on the լƵ campus. The new facility will include expansive spaces for clinical learning, classrooms and offices, and will assist with addressing a projected shortage in nurses and other health profession needs in Kentucky.

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