The Newman University nursing and allied health programs have received new equipment as part of the renovations to Eck Hall. The equipment will help those already in the programs and those coming in for the first time this year receive a more rich and real-life experience while building clinical skills.
The amount of new equipment is extensive. Along with the new equipment, entire rooms have been renovated and dedicated on the first and second floor of Eck for specific programs.
Sonography classes are held on the second floor of Eck. 
The program now has a new room for students to work in as well as equipment that is very important and crucial to the program.
Down the hall, the occupational therapy assistant program also has a new classroom. The area includes a laundry machine, a swing for kids, a bath other equipment. These are used to help students learn how to work with stroke victims who have lost the ability to use some or all of their limbs. By having a laundry machine, for instance, students can teach stroke victims how to be independent again by doing their own laundry using only one arm.
One of the benefits of some of the renovated rooms is that they are multipurpose. When the occupational therapy group is not using their classroom, for example, other Newman classes have the opportunity to use the room.
The respiratory care program located on the first floor of Eck Hall also has new equipment to enrich students’ learning experience. The nursing program also has exciting new developments, including a task training room with tables that move up to standing height. Nurses are constantly on the go, so this is a good opportunity for students to see what it will be like doing their work standing. The nursing lab has brand new technology that will enable nursing students to feel as if they are in their future work environment where any situation could arise.
The renovated nursing area includes a simulation room with one-way glass. Behind the glass, the instructor will observe
the students as they work. Instructors will also be able to view students’ work from multiple angles through newly installed cameras around the room. These multi-angle cameras are installed in most of the labs.
Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Jane Weilert, Ed.D., explained that the simulation rooms include interactive, advanced-technology medical mannequins for the students to physically practice on. Real-life situations such as a code blue (a medical term for cardiac arrest), can be simulated and studied. Weilert says, “With this new technology we can place students in situations they normally may not see.” Along with the simulation mannequins, the program has a few static mannequins.
The programs have not yet fully unpacked all of their new equipment, since there is quite a bit of it. They are ready and excited, however, to implement these new tools into their daily study. The new additions and renovations to the health sciences programs at Newman will reshape the way students learn and ultimately build their confidence for their careers.
