Nursing receives $1.27 million grant

The center will be used to teach evaluation assessment skills to nursing students and to United Regional employees. Four high fidelity simulation mannequins will be purchased that can simulate real life situations.

"This center will improve how we prepare people for high-risk, low-volume situations. It's difficult to train someone for a situation that doesn't occur often. With the computerized mannequins, we will be able to make those situations happen," stated

Dr. Deborah Garrison, chair and associate professor of the MSU Wilson School of Nursing.

Students will be able to improve their clinical decision-making skills in situations ranging from a condition that worsens to one which results in cardiac arrest.

"We will be graduating people who feel confident with their skills in those situations. In addition, nurses at United Regional will be able to renew their skills. In both cases, patient care will be improved," stated Garrison.

United Regional Health Care Center has donated an 11,000 sq. foot space where the center is to be located. It will be staffed with five nursing positions, and the director will report to a consortium of representatives from MSU, United Regional and Vernon College.

Fifteen grant applications were submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Independent reviewers selected five semifinalists who made presentations in Austin September 24. Dr. Garrison and Dr. Susan Sportsman, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, made the presentation for MSU.

The center should be open January 18 for assessment of students admitted through the November 1 deadline.