Telesimulation technology, an emerging educational method combining telecommunication and advanced simulation resources, will enable the nursing program to serve their students more effectively. Additionally, through partnerships with three hub sites -
Baptist Health,
Barbourville ARH, and the
Knox County Health Department - practicing nurses will have access to continuing education opportunities from their workplaces, including Union’s
RN-to-BSN program. Telesimulation provides a platform to replicate a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios, including those typically not available in traditional clinical settings, such as pediatrics.
“Through telesimulation, learners can engage in real-time interactions with instructors, standardized patients, or simulation mannequins via videoconferencing tools,” says Abner. “While it doesn't replace clinical experience, telesimulation is an effective platform for teaching, training, and assessing competency. It allows students to learn life-saving skills and techniques in a safe, controlled environment.”
In addition to the enhancements made within the nursing program, new technology in the counseling center will enhance Union’s capacity to better train mental health providers. Simultaneously, this will provide students, faculty, and staff with remote access to Union’s counseling services, which will especially benefit online students and those in rural locations.
“With mental health, every step we can take to build a larger support system for the student, the greater the likelihood of success with each student's mental health program,” says Psychology Professor Dr. Ilie Vasilescu.
The DLT grant program is a project of
USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) and is designed to help rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to improve education and healthcare. According to USDA RD, education and healthcare are “two of the most crucial keys to successful rural economic and community development.” To learn more about USDA RD, see www.rd.usda.gov.
Rural Development (usda.gov)
For questions about the NextGen TeleHealth Education Project, contact Dr. Lisa Abner at labner@unionky.edu or Eric Evans at eevans@unionky.edu. To learn more about the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing, see
Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing – Union College (unionky.edu).
