Nursing program awarded two grants to expand simulation capacity

The Panola College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program has been awarded two major grants designed to expand simulation capacity and strengthen clinical training for nursing students. The Nursing, Allied Health and Other Health-related Education Grant Program (NAHP) awarded Panola College $140,184, and the Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP) awarded $18,815.29. Together, these grants will significantly enhance hands-on learning opportunities, particularly for students enrolled in the LVN- and Paramedic-to-RN Transition track.

Funding from the NAHP and NSRP grants will be used to purchase new high-fidelity simulation equipment, including workstations-on-wheels for medication administration, updated simulation manikins, and infrastructure to support additional simulation bays. These upgrades will enable the ADN program to expand clinical simulation at the Shelby College Center in Center, Texas, while continuing to house didactic instruction and the primary ADN program on the Carthage campus.

By adding simulation capacity across two locations, Panola College will increase access to high-quality experiential learning and support projected growth in enrollment for the Transition to ADN pathway.

“We are grateful for this support, which directly strengthens our ability to provide high-quality, experiential learning for our students in two locations. The additional equipment will allow faculty to conduct clinical simulation simultaneously at both sites and maintain a 2-to-1 student-to-manikin ratio, even with the addition of a second cohort for our Transition to ADN track,” said Annissa Jackson, PhD, RN, Chair of Nursing Programs.

Panola College leadership emphasized the importance of these investments in preparing the region’s future nursing workforce.

“These grants enhance our instructional capacity and directly support the success of our nursing students,” said Natalie Oswalt, Vice President of Instruction. “Expanding simulation opportunities across two campuses ensures our students have consistent, high-quality clinical learning experiences that prepare them for real-world practice.”

For more information about the Panola College Associate Degree Nursing program, please contact the School of Nursing and Health Sciences or visit www.panola.edu.