1804 Fund supports project to boost nursing students’ confidence, marketability
The Trustees of the Ohio University Foundation approved more than $386,000 in support for 1804 Fund projects this academic year. One project brought state-of-the-art equipment to Ohio University’s Southern Campus.
A project that gives students a robust simulated experience with pediatric patients was realized via the fund thanks to a proposal by Dana Scott, assistant professor of nursing at the Southern Campus. The $23,500 funded pediatric simulation equipment for the nursing skills lab.
“Utilizing this state-of-the-art technology in nursing education will better prepare our future nurses in the hospital and healthcare fields,” Scott said.
The pediatric nursing simulator brings on-site training to the Ironton, Ohio, campus, a rural area. Nursing students can practice as if they were in a real clinical environment, but without the risks. The simulator also allows students the ability to meet their clinical training requirements.
“This equipment supported from the 1804 grant will secure their confidence in what they are doing before they go out in the field and do it,” said Sarah Diamond Burroway, director of external relations for the Southern Campus.
Some of the equipment is a hyper-realistic mannequin that is controlled by programmed responses and can simulate breathing patterns, cardiac responses, motor reflexes, and the responses of a sick child. The mannequin also reacts to medicine similarly to a human pediatric patient.
Students work as a team of four to six when using the simulator and can work alongside instructors who can identify their weaknesses and hone in on their strengths.
“Because the technology is aimed for instructional purposes, the instructors and students work together to master their skills. We can repeat scenarios, change them, and make them relevant to whatever the student is struggling with,” Scott said. “This helps faculty pick up on students’ learning patterns.”
Students can play the role of a parent or a nurse, and the clinical coordinator will set up the scenario. Not only does role-playing bring the field to life for students, but it also lets each student have a customized experience.
“Knowing that our pediatric simulators will give our students the ability to practice increases their confidence with their abilities and their marketability in the job market. That’s the most important thing for them,” Scott said.
C. Paul Stocker, BSEE ’26, established the 1804 Fund to encourage innovation and collaboration between academic disciplines. The fund has supported the University’s mission of “maintaining, strengthening and enhancing a learning-centered community” since the fund’s founding 42 years ago.