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York College of PA Awarded Grant to Seek Accreditation for Nursing Simulation Lab

July 22, 2022
A nursing student in a navy uniform smiles as she uses a stethoscope to hear the heartbeat of a mannequin in the Nursing SImulation Lab

York College of Pennsylvania recently completed updates to its Nursing Simulation Lab thanks to a 2021 Memorial Health Fund Grant through the York County Community Foundation to support the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions (MSNHP). 

The grant of $13,202 was used to build infrastructure toward the development of an accredited simulation center within the next three to five years, ensuring quality simulation-based learning experiences for students and local healthcare providers at WellSpan and UPMC. Infrastructure needs include personnel, physical space, equipment, policies, and organizational commitment. York College has already committed to providing the physical space within the MSNHP, hired a director of simulation, and purchased some new simulation equipment.

“The College will need further assistance in dedicating resources to support new faculty development in simulation pedagogy and exploring additional opportunities to bring together individuals from multiple disciplines to care for patients,” said Dr. Stacy Lutter, interim dean of the MSNHP. The proposal for the grant included a timeline for 2022 through 2025 that details the purchase of “new simulation equipment and technology as we work toward national accreditation.”

“The creation of an accredited simulation center at York College will provide the community with continuity in nursing practices,” said Rodney Grim, Director of Simulation Experiences at York College’s MSNHP. “It will allow students an opportunity to train and learn using similar equipment as future employers, to better understand real-life scenarios. In addition, it will provide benefits for their professional careers in the long term.” 

York College also anticipates partnering with local healthcare institutions to conduct training and Inter-Professional Education classes for their staff, as well as cooperative education opportunities that will bring student nurses and professional nurses into simulation experiences together, building relationships and strengthening the training nurses need.

“Thanks to the Memorial Health Fund grant from the York County Community Foundation, York College is one step closer to an accredited simulation center, which benefits the entire community. York County benefits by having highly trained healthcare professionals who can work together to provide excellent healthcare to our community,” said Lutter.

Retired physician Dr. Donald E. Myers of Red Lion made a $5-million gift to York College of Pennsylvania in memory of his late wife to name the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions. A 1951 graduate of York Junior College (YJC), the predecessor of York College of Pennsylvania, Myers said the gift allowed him to recognize the College’s role as a stepping stone to his 40-plus-year career as a physician in York and also to honor his wife’s memory.