Trending
One of the problems revealed, and possibly even exacerbated, by the COVID pandemic in West Virginia is the shortage of available nurses within the medical fields serving our communities.
Some areas of the state already were looking for certified nurses to fill existing vacancies, while other areas saw long-time nurses leave the occupation as a result of the extended hours and additional stress brought about by the virus as it made its way through the state beginning three years ago.
In an effort to answer those rising shortages, the state created the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which provides grants for schools and medical facilities, as well as incentive packages for nurses willing to relocate to the Mountain State.
Locally, some of that funding has been used to enhance the educational opportunities offered to those wishing to make their way into nursing.
In recent days, West Virginia Northern Community College has unveiled a series of nursing simulation labs at its campuses in Weirton, Wheeling and New Martinsville. These labs were created with $1 million from the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program as well as other monetary contributions, and designed to provide as close to real-world scenarios as possible within the classroom setting for nursing students at the college.
The labs feature programmable high-fidelity mannequins which can mimic human vital signs and medical symptoms, allow nursing students to practice techniques such as checking blood pressure, inserting intravenous lines or ports, checking for pupil dilation or constriction, intubations and much more. In addition, through various programs, the mannequins can communicate with nursing students to relay their symptoms or provide other responses.
WVNCC officials noted this will help nursing students to obtain improved training prior to going into medical office or hospital settings, allowing them to think more quickly and critically when it comes to future patient care.
We are glad to see this kind of investment, along with the college's plans to expand its nursing programs, which will only benefit communities throughout the Ohio Valley.