Entrance to the Simulation Hospital on the third floor of ESU's new Nursing and Student Wellness building features a learning commons area, shown in this artist rendering of the project.
Emporia State University will receive $500,000 for the Simulation Hospital in its new Nursing + Student Wellness Building after action December 27 by the Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees recognizes the historical partnership with ESU and is committed to continuing its support of nursing workforce development.
Newman Regional Health has over a 100-year history of providing clinical training and financial support for the ESU nursing program.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Newman Regional Health as we create a new, state-of-the-art home for ESU’s nursing program,” said Dr. R. Brent Thomas, ESU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Many of our nursing graduates choose to stay in Kansas, which has more than 3,000 open nursing positions.”
Chief Executive Officer of Newman Regional Health, Cathy Pimple, knows the value of ESU nursing graduates. Dr. Pimple commented, “The rich history and impactful relationship that ESU and Newman Regional Health have established is seen daily in our hallways and patient rooms of our hospital. Over 60% of nursing staff are ESU alumni! We continue to see the value of our partnership. Our commitment continues to pave a road for future growth, opportunity and hope for healthcare in our region.”
With a target opening of Fall 2025, construction of the new 32,000-square-foot facility for ESU’s Nursing Program and Student Wellness Center begins this spring. It will contain the above-mentioned Simulation Hospital Suite, which includes an adult care training lab, adult care simulation room, obstetric simulation training lab, emergency care simulation room and pediatric care simulation room. The new center will also have a skills lab, learning commons, classrooms, a conference room and a student success center. After the academic space is complete, work will begin to finish new space for the university’s Student Wellness Center.
Currently, students and faculty use simulated learning in various spaces in Newman Regional Health and in Cora Miller Hall on NRH’s campus. Simulation has been and remains a hallmark of ESU’s nursing program, giving hands-on experience for its students. The new Simulation Hospital space on ESU campus will enable students to work in an environment closely resembling that of a hospital.
Newman Regional Health’s Chief Nursing Officer, Heather Aylward, an Emporia State University alumni stated, “Nursing practices have seen a dramatic change in the last decade that requires the type of training that will be possible in ESU’s new facility. We are thrilled to be an integral part of continuing to instill the spirit of compassion and skill in our future nurses.”
“Emporia State is fortunate to have the support of Newman Regional Health,” said Shane Shivley, president/CEO of Emporia State University Foundation. “Newman models its mission as a community hospital. This gift is one of many examples of how they support the health and well-being of the Emporia and surrounding community, in this case, by supporting the education of future health care professionals.”