“ The telepresence robots will introduce our students to various scenarios in the hospital setting , such as patients in quarantine , telehealth , consults from physicians and specialists from all over the world , interdisciplinary rounding , central supply delivery capabilities , and much more .”
At a strategic level , Santos and the faculty at the Keigwin School of Nursing are also incorporating technology in ways that allow them to accelerate training . In addition to the human-sized touch screens with 3D anatomy software that the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences has been using for years , robots and virtual reality headsets play a central role in the just-launched 12-month Accelerated Bachelor ’ s of Science in Nursing program , where students are learning at a break-neck pace to answer the call for new nurses .
“ It ’ s truly incredible to see how fast these students are learning ,” says Amee Jones , clinical assistant professor of nursing and director of the STAR Center . “ They are learning concepts one week and then testing , or doing ‘ check-offs ’ the next .”
Through an exclusive partnership with Baptist Health , Jacksonville University created the 12-month bachelor of nursing program in direct response to the dire nursing shortage in Florida and across the U . S . Just eight weeks into their first semester , students in the program begin preparing to enter their first round of clinical training in Baptist Health facilities .
As their training intensifies , technology brings theoretical lessons to life . Imagine the difference between reading from a textbook about plaque build-up in arteries and watching plaque build-up occur in an immersive , virtual reality illustration . Santos says , it ’ s the difference between learning and experiencing .
“ I strongly believe that immersive learning -- whether it ’ s virtual reality , augmented reality , artificial intelligence , etc . -- is the best way to enhance our students ’ education and get them excited to learn ,” says Santos . “ A nurse who is a life-long learner is also an intelligent , safe nurse , and that is exactly what our community needs .” page 24