A&M-Commerce Department of Nursing Awarded Innovation Grant

The Department of Nursing at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been selected for a Nursing Innovation Grant Program award under the 2020-2022 RFA, “Supporting Clinical Learning Experiences to Mitigate Impediments due to COVID-19.”

The award program was established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide grant funding to nursing programs that address the shortage of registered nurses (RN) in the state of Texas. Eligible programs develop and expand activities and projects to promote innovation in the preparation of RN students, as well as faculty teaching in RN licensure programs.

Dr. Jane Kosarek, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing at A&M-Commerce, said the award will fund virtual clinical applications which help students gain skills in prioritizing care, delegation and medication administration in a variety of clinical areas without the need to be physically on location in a hospital or community healthcare setting.

“We're excited to be able to offer our students the opportunity to learn and gain experience virtually through the use of these new technologies,” Kosarek said. “The skills that can be acquired are ones that practicing nurses use every day.”

Kim Vice, MSN-Ed, director of the department's Clinical Learning Center, said simulations provide students with real-life experiences in a safe environment while increasing their skills competency and clinical reasoning.

“The Laerdal Modular Skills Trainers will improve multiple clinical skills competencies by allowing students additional lab practice time independently in their home or in socially distanced sites,” Vice said. “The Drexel University Certification in Simulation training will enrich the knowledge base of our faculty in the simulation based pedagogical approach.”

Learn more about the nursing program at A&M-Commerce.