An area nursing program recently was awarded a six-figure grant.

A news release says the Saline County Career Center Postsecondary Practical Nursing (PN) Program was awarded $447,110 from the federally-sponsored grant- Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).

The FIPSE grant supports post-secondary institutions for the purpose of improving and enhancing learning opportunities for adult learners.

The grant money will allow the SCCC PN program to expand and convert its entire program to allow for improved distance-learning opportunities for students.

According to SCCC Director Callie Dobbins, “Receiving the FIPSE grant gives us essential resources to support the goals of the PN program. We will now be able to purchase equipment and supplies to prepare for and offer an even better distance learning experience for our PN program students. The expansion will help in-seat learners receive optimal lab experiences that mirror clinical situations. In addition, if the program needs to move to virtual learning, or if students need to quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, we will have the flexibility to teach and offer simulations virtually.”

SCCC Adult Education Coordinator Laura Jackson said, “This grant will help us redesign the traditional PN program to better address future distance learning needs and help students be better prepared through simulations which mirror real-life clinical situations.”

PN Program Coordinator Heather Tietjens is excited about the opportunity. She said, “The grant will provide SCCC with the means to upgrade and update our program equipment. Items we will purchase include hot spots for students who need internet services, updated mannequins with simulation equipment for online interaction, simulation software that provides for online interaction which mirrors clinical scenarios, and equipment for student check-out such as model skeletons for bone, muscle, and vein identification.”

Grant funding also allows for the repair, renovation and funding of facility upgrades to improve distance learning and provide for the safety of staff and students.