Northern Oklahoma College

PROJECT PURPOSE

To provide resources that NOC?s nursing program needs to strengthen its already quality nursing program, which needs updated technology and additional equipment to provide an increased number of highly skilled nurses for today?s modern hospitals. NOC has one nursing program with three campuses, using technology to collaboratively provide courses and instructors. The project will update the current equipment, purchase new highly-needed equipment, provide stipends to enable us to recruit and retain highly skilled nursing instructors, and provide student support services so students will have the academic and emotional tools to succeed in this highly demanding educational environment. NOC?s High-fidelity simulation mannequins provide life-like, and sometimes better than real hospital experiences are needed as clinical space in hospitals will be stressed. Many of the mannequins are no longer eligible for maintenance contracts. Lab equipment must be updated. For example: many of the hospital beds in the labs are beds that are discards from local hospitals. This does not prepare students for today?s sophisticated hospital equipment. This project will enable faculty to focus on course content, and will increase our graduation capacity. NOC is being conservative on our graduation capacity number, as we want to be able to realistically meet our goals.

EVIDENCE

? Rural populations face increasing disparities in many health outcomes and a significant gap in life expectancy, compared to urban populations. COGME, (2021) ? Given the lack of access to specialists, the rural nurse is essential, treating patients with diverse and sometimes complicated conditions. UNC Wilmington. ? ?It is now imperative to integrate simulation throughout the entire curriculum. Today, simulation allows students to learn skills; develop clinical reasoning abilities; and to become competent in caring for patients/families in a safe environment.? Aebersold, (2018). OJIN ? ?Knowledge, performance, self-satisfaction and confidence improved among critical nursing students exposed to high fidelity simulation.? D?Souza, et al. (2017)

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Almost 40% of Oklahoma?s population belongs to a racial/ethnic minority group. Research demonstrates health disparities in COVID-19 outcomes in the U.S., with members of racial and ethnic minority groups experiencing higher risks of COVID-19 positivity and disease severity. The Native American community has shown to be a vulnerable population to COVID. Northern Oklahoma College is a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution, and 17% of our student body is Native American, and 19% are Hispanic, Black or of two or more races. It the broader community, there are 9,629 Native Americans in Kay, Garfield, Noble, and Payne Counties. Areas with high incidences of poverty are also vulnerable. Over 14% of Oklahoma?s population live in poverty. Four counties in NOC?s service area have a poverty rate of 10-14.9% (2003), while two counties have 15-19.9% rate of poverty. Three of our service area counties had a per capita income (2004) of $20,000-$24,999, while the other three counties had per capita income levels at $25,000-$29,999. Four of our direct service area counties are at least partially considered to have a shortage of health professionals, while three of the counties are considered medically underserved.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

NOC will collect data to measure program outcomes. Evidence of project success includes: increased nursing student enrollment; increased nursing student retention; increased nursing degree production; stabilizing the number of qualified nursing faculty at NOC; and improved nursing faculty retention.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma