Funding Boost for Nursing Program
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University has secured a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation aimed at enhancing simulation training capabilities within the Lloyd College of Health, Science and Technology School of Nursing. This funding is set to provide crucial clinical learning resources as the university braces for growth in its nursing program.
The Golden LEAF Board of Directors sanctioned the grant on August 6 through its Open Grants Program. The funds will facilitate the acquisition of advanced simulation technology for an additional laboratory, enabling nursing students to refine their clinical decision-making, patient assessment, and treatment skills in realistic, controlled environments prior to engaging with actual patients.
Chancellor Darrell T. Allison expressed gratitude for the Golden LEAF Foundation’s support, emphasizing the importance of investing in local educational institutions to foster economic development in North Carolina. He acknowledged the contributions of President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton, Board Chair Brian Raynor, and the board for their dedication to enhancing educational opportunities in the region.
Enhancing Nursing Education
Scott T. Hamilton, President and CEO of Golden LEAF, highlighted the necessity of a skilled healthcare workforce for the economic prosperity of North Carolina communities. He affirmed the foundation’s commitment to aiding Fayetteville State University in its mission to expand high-quality nursing education, which is vital for preparing students to enter this essential field. This initiative aims to bolster the supply of nurses ready to meet the demands of employers in Southeastern North Carolina and other economically challenged areas.
The funding arrives as Fayetteville State University prepares to increase its nursing student enrollment. The North Carolina Board of Nursing has recently authorized the institution to double its prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program capacity to 300 students, thereby necessitating additional clinical training facilities and resources.
Real-World Training Opportunities
Christy Swinson, DNP, associate dean of the School of Nursing, noted that simulation training is crucial for students to develop clinical judgment, communication skills, and patient care capabilities in a safe environment. She emphasized that the Golden LEAF investment will allow the school to broaden these educational opportunities while ensuring the quality and rigor of its nursing curriculum are upheld.
The funding also plays a significant role in cultivating a workforce that meets local healthcare needs. Approximately 80% of Fayetteville State University’s registered nursing graduates from the past three years have remained in North Carolina, with around 70% residing in some of the state’s economically disadvantaged areas. Cape Fear Valley Health has employed 66 graduates from FSU’s nursing program over the last three and a half years.
Erin N. White, Ph.D., dean of the Lloyd College of Health, Science and Technology, praised the leadership of Dr. Swinson and the faculty’s commitment to student success. She emphasized that the expansion is not merely about increasing student numbers but about producing well-prepared nursing graduates, expressing deep appreciation for the ongoing investments that support this vision.
Source: Fayetteville State University
