A community college in Western Iowa has been helping its students prepare to hold down the rigors of nursing jobs with a simulation classroom, according to a published report.
Senator Tom Harkin helped the effort by winning federal funding for the classroom at Iowa Western Community College, which he visited earlier this month, The Daily Nonpareil reports. He said that the next two decades will see a demand for more nurses.
"Our graduates are more confident because they've done a lot of these things (before entering the workforce)," school president Dan Kinney told the news source, noting the school has about 350 students presently in training to serve as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
The classroom simulates a typical hospital room as well as provides space to practice for maternity purposes, an emergency room, a doctor's office and an operating room.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses help patients, their loved ones and the general public become aware of health circumstances while also offering advice and support during the time of need.