Jacksonville University students using virtual reality to train as future nurses (Courtesy of Action News JAX) — Jacksonville University’s new accelerated 12-month nursing program is working to address the nationwide shortage of nurses by getting nurses into hospitals faster.
As part of the training nursing students are using virtual reality to get an inside look at the human body. Instead of picking up a book, Kathryn Kane is literally diving into her anatomy lesson.
The physical therapist assistant told Action News when the pandemic hit, she felt a new calling to become a nurse. “You’re the heart of patient care and I feel like that’s what I’m the best at and that’s what I get the most joy out of and I can help people so it’s a win-win for everyone,” Kane said.
On Thursday we got an inside look at how students are learning through a virtual clinic.
“It’s just a great opportunity for them to practice, make mistakes in an environment like this but truly be immersed in this type of learning,” Amber Santos, Dir. of innovation and quality with Jacksonville University said.
JU’s 12-month accelerated nursing program started 6 months ago and it’s a partnership with Baptist Health to train nurses faster. The university predicts in the next five to ten years our area could lose 30,000 nurses as more begin to retire and leave the profession.
“We have such a shortage right now so it’s important that we meet that demand and that call,” Santos said.
And for Kane getting this type of hands-on experience will make her a better nurse. “I’ll just be that much more prepared when we get into clinical into real life,” she said.
For more information on Jacksonville University’s accelerated nursing program, you can click HERE.