Through a matching grant provided by the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA), Kent State University at East Liverpool was able to make more than $70,000 in equipment upgrades to its nursing laboratory. The public was recently invited to view the new equipment in the Kent State East Liverpool nursing laboratory. Students, faculty, staff and local healthcare professionals stopped by to participate in the “Birthing Party.”
The nursing program was able to purchase a Noelle Maternal and Neonatal Birthing Simulator with a resuscitation baby and a Birthing Suite Package. The maternal and neonatal birthing simulator gives students an opportunity to assess and observe mother and fetus during the birthing process. The Birthing Suite Package provides students with a realistic birthing suite environment including a birthing bed, baby bassinet and infant scale.
Clinical coordinator, Janet Peterson, encouraged attendees to participate by performing various comfort measures for the maternal simulator. Aromatherapy, a back rub and assistance with breathing were just a few techniques offered to the simulator by attendees. The new equipment allows nursing students to have a better understanding of the birthing process before assisting in an actual live birth.
“We’re very grateful to receive this new equipment,” said Nursing Director Dr. Anne Freitas. Freitas, who oversees the school’s associate degree program, added “The new computerized simulation equipment we purchased will help our students apply their knowledge here in the lab before they go to their clinical sites. Through this grant, our students will learn new skills, improve their problem solving abilities and better apply the principles they’ve learned when caring for patients with various health care concerns and diseases.”
Kent State offers both a two year associate degree in Nursing at the East Liverpool Campus and a four year Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the Salem Campus. More 248 students are currently enrolled in these programs in Columbiana County. Students interested in admission can call 1-877-KENT-EDU (1-877-536-8338)