Thank You!
The building is officially open and in use! A lot has happened during the course of this project, and we could not be more grateful to all of our partners who not only made this renovation a reality, but also made it possible for us to open on time for the new academic year.
The Changing
nursing landscape
The landscape for nurses and nursing education has radically changed. Washington state faces drastic nursing shortages, with only 5 states forecast to fare worse. There is a growing demand for bachelor and graduate degree prepared nurses fluent in both technology and leadership needed to address the complex and rapidly changing healthcare environment.
The PLU
School of Nursing
For more than 60 years, Pacific Lutheran University has been educating nurses and building a reputation as one of the state’s premier nursing education programs. PLU is already one of the largest producers of nursing graduates in Washington state, and the program is rapidly growing.
100% of nursing grads are employed within six months of graduation.
94% average first-time pass rate for the national nursing exam.
Ranked in the top 30% nationally by the US News and World Report.
School of Nursing Enrollment Trends
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Vision
of the project
The next step in growing the PLU School of Nursing is the building of the Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. Completed in September of 2020, this state-of-the-art Center upgrades and expands the practice space available to PLU nurses. In this space, they will develop the skills required to become nursing leaders in our communities.
A state-of-the art simulation lab is critical to any competitive contemporary nursing education program today. Students must have access to the safe clinical practice settings found in a simulation lab that provides guided learning experiences and real time feedback from faculty about their performance in the lab.
- Linda Tieman, Former Executive Director of Washington Center for Nursing and PLU School of Nursing Community Advisory Board Member
Construction is Complete!
Thanks to generous donations from individuals and area foundations, construction is now complete on the Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. Additional gifts will allow us to purchase the cutting-edge tools and technology necessary for the center to have its maximum impact. See below for exciting photos of the new space!
Updates
Final Update: The Center is Open!
On September 1, 2020, the construction of the School of Nursing Clinical Learning and Simulation Center was completed. Faculty trained in the space in late August, and students begin classes and labs on September 8.
PLU Nursing Donates Medical Supplies
PLU School of Nursing, in partnership with other PLU departments, donated more than $10,000 in essential medical supplies to the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center for use in the fight against COVID-19.
Great news from PLU's DNP program
PLU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is ranked among the top 100 best nursing schools by the U.S. News & World Report.
SEEKING AMBASSADORS FOR THE NEW CENTER
Nursing Ambassadors play a vital role in making sure others know about the new Clinical Learning and SimulationCenter and ensuring the project’s success. They help spread the word through email and social media and invite their network to join them in supporting the project. Learn more and sign up as a Nursing Ambassador today!
PLU receives $2.8 million HRSA grant
A new $2.8 million federal grant from the federal Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) will help increase the number of PLU Doctor of Nursing Practice students who can serve rural and underserved populations in Washington.
Construction Begins!
Thanks to generous donations from individuals and area foundations, construction is now underway on the Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. Additional funds are still needed to purchase the cutting-edge tools and technology necessary for the center to have its maximum impact. Check back often to see construction progress!
Congressman Denny Heck visits with Nursing students
Congressman Denny Heck was an early supporter of a $2.8 million HRSA grant that was recently awarded to PLU’s School of Nursing. He visited campus earlier this week to meet with President Belton, talk with nursing students and learn more about plans for the new Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. Here are some highlights from his conversation with nursing students Adrian Brown ’20 (BSN), Cecilia Ortega ’20 (BSN) and Rainey Banick-Wood ’20 (DNP).
Scope
of the project
The PLU School of Nursing Clinical Learning and Simulation Center is located in a renovated and repurposed PLU building, the former Garfield Book Company. The Center doubles the space available to the School of Nursing and will transform PLU nursing students’ clinical learning environment.
The space features:
- A 16-bed inpatient clinical lab with adjacent clinical teaching space
- Two simulation labs for advanced practice care
- Several large capacity classrooms
- Camera-assisted debrief rooms
- Faculty offices
- Common space for students
Impact
The Center provides:
Learning through practice
Enhanced opportunities to learn through practice using patient care scenarios to practice skills and develop clinical competency.
Realistic environments
Realistic environments with spaces that duplicate equipment and furnishings found in today’s modern high-tech healthcare settings.
Application of classroom theory
Ability to apply classroom theory by blending faculty led instruction with hands on practice.
Opportunities to review
Opportunities to review in debriefing spaces that facilitate student learning after clinical exercises.
During my time at PLU, the nursing program has continued to grow. I am super excited for a new space that will offer better opportunities for all students to prepare for our future careers. Practicing in the new labs will provide students with the confidence and skills needed to treat patients effectively.
- Sofie Alvestad ‘19
WILL YOU SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF NURSING?
Thanks to generous donations from individuals and area foundations, construction is now complete. You can still make an impact with additional gifts to purchase the cutting-edge tools and technology necessary for the center to have its maximum impact.
WILL YOU SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF NURSING?
Thanks to generous donations from individuals and area foundations, construction is now complete. You can still make an impact with additional gifts to purchase the cutting-edge tools and technology necessary for the center to have its maximum impact.