Stephens College Receives $621,975 Grant to Transform Nursing Education
Stephens College has been awarded a $621,975 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing’s Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP), marking a significant milestone in the advancement of its nursing program. The funding will be used to develop a state-of-the-art nursing learning center featuring virtual reality technology, mid-fidelity manikins, and hospital-grade facilities, ensuring students are fully prepared for real-world healthcare settings.
This transformative investment will enhance Stephens College’s nursing facilities by converting space within the campus Visitors Center into a cutting-edge nursing lab with an emphasis on safe patient care. The newly designed nursing center will have dedicated space for hands-on nursing care, skill development and practice, modern educational tools, and the use of technology and resources to augment instruction.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the grant supports faculty training in emerging healthcare technologies and expanding student recruitment efforts. These initiatives aim to attract prospective students, parents, and counselors by showcasing the advantages of beginning their nursing education at Stephens College.
Additionally, Stephens College is strengthening its partnership with Boone Health. The collaboration will provide new federal work-study opportunities for students and further integrate clinical training within the local healthcare system, offering invaluable hands-on experience.
Dr. Michael Barger, Dean of the Women’s College, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. “The new Nursing Learning Center will enhance our capacity to offer the highest quality nursing education to Stephens’ students. We are very grateful to the State Board of Nursing for this award. Like all nursing programs throughout Missouri, we are committed to supporting healthcare by educating and training the next generation of nurses. Our nursing program boasts an outstanding group of nurse educators, an incredible partnership with Boone Health, and an ever-growing group of students dedicated to their profession. The new Nursing Center will be another impressive aspect of an already innovative and dynamic program.”
Dr. Noreen Houck, Nursing Program Chair, emphasized the impact of the new facility on student learning: “The new Nursing Center allows Stephens College to expand learning opportunities for our students. Students working with their faculty in the new Nursing Center will emphasize patient safety, comfort, and collaboration. The nursing center supports our partnership with Boone Health, where the focus is on the patient’s experience. The addition of an eight-module patient care center in the heart of campus, just blocks away from Boone Health, creates a foundation for the growth of the nursing program.”
The Missouri State Board of Nursing awarded a total of $5 million in competitive grants to 13 nursing programs across the state. This funding, recommended and approved by former Governor Mike Parson, aimed to address the nursing workforce shortage by increasing faculty salaries, developing future educators through scholarships and training programs, and investing in educational technology.
Lori Scheidt, Executive Director of the Missouri State Board of Nursing, highlighted the broader impact of these investments: “These financial investments are evidence of Missouri’s commitment to invest in the pipeline of future nurses. Education is the foundation for addressing the nursing workforce shortage. These funds allow nursing programs to increase that pipeline and leverage advanced technology.”
With this significant grant, Stephens College continues to advance its mission of preparing skilled, compassionate nurses ready to meet the challenges of modern healthcare. The new Nursing Center is set to become a cornerstone of innovation, ensuring students receive top-tier education and hands-on training before stepping into the field.
