Associate Degree of Nursing student Christy Chavis, of Bennettsville, checks the pulse of “Sim Man,” a simulation mannequin in the newly renovated nursing classroom at Northeastern Technical College. Head of the Nursing Department Terry Wright controls the reactions of the patient through a computer.

October 6, 2010
State Board Puts Stamp of Approval on NETC’s Nursing Program

Ask “Sim Man” where does it hurt, and he might say, “my throat” or “my chest.” He might even let you know by saying, “Ouch!” when you touch him in a sore spot. “Sim Man” is a simulation mannequin that lies in a hospital bed in one of Northeastern Technical College’s newly renovated nursing classrooms.

Dubbed “Northeastern General Hospital,” the classroom has been converted into a clinical setting complete with hospital beds, mannequin patients and of course, “Sim Man,” who has a heart beat, speaks to the students and reacts to their treatments.

This simulation lab is a state-of-the-art teaching tool, according to Terry Wright, head of NETC’s Nursing Department, and a factor in the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program receiving the final stamp of approval it needed from the State Board of Nursing.

The State Board completed its review of the effectiveness of the college’s ADN program on Sept. 30 and gave the college its nod for full accreditation.
 “I am extremely proud of the nursing faculty, administrators and students for their hard work in making the associate degree nursing program successful,” Dr. Ron Bartley, president of the college, said. “Nursing is a high demand, high wage, and highly skilled profession, and having this accredited program at NETC creates tremendous opportunities for our citizens.”

NETC enrolled its first group of ADN nursing students in fall 2007. Since then the college has graduated two ADN classes, welcomed its fourth class of students this fall and renovated its facility into two classrooms, one being the simulation lab.

“Having this accredited program to turn out registered nurses at NETC adds to our capability to satisfy workforce needs in the health care industry in our service area,” Bartley said. “We already have an accredited highly successful practical nursing program that is also fulfilling a critical need for health care workers.”

Graduates of the ADN program must take the licensure exam to become registered nurses. The percentage of graduates who pass the exam is another criteria of the state board’s assessment of the nursing program.

“We work very hard to prepare our students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and to teach them to be safe and competent practitioners,” said Wright. “I’m proud to say this program graduates successful first time NCLEX-RN exam takers.”

NETC’s second class of ADN students graduated in May and as a class have so far earned a 94.7 percent pass rate on  the NCLEX-RN exam.

“This is a huge achievement for this program and our students,” Wright said. “Even though we are in a rural area, students can stay close to home and still pursue a career in nursing by attending this quality, state board approved program at NETC.”