Niagara University receives $100,000 grant from Alden Trust for nursing simulation center

Plans to construct a state-of-the-art nursing simulation center at Niagara University have received a major shot in the arm, thanks to the support of the George I. Alden Trust.

The Alden Trust's $100,000 grant will cover architectural work and some construction costs for the center, which will be housed in Dunleavy Hall upon completion.

"We are extremely grateful to the Alden Trust for supporting this critical initiative," said Dr. Frances Crosby, chair of the nursing department at Niagara University. "Simulation centers are so valuable to modern nursing education, as they allow students to practice clinical decision-making, communicating with patients and families, and delegating to other health care providers. Students also acquire other related skills that contribute to safe, high-quality health care delivery."

NU's nursing simulation center will provide "hands-on" opportunities for students to manage patient encounters and skills in a risk-free, virtual reality environment, while supporting traditional classroom learning and clinical practice experiences. The center also will offer opportunities for inter-professional experiential learning. Students will gain a greater understanding of patient assessment and care and become adept at responding to complex situations in a timely manner with competency and confidence. 

In addition, a board/conference room with closed-circuit capabilities will foster leadership development and team-building competencies.

George I. Alden established the George I. Alden Trust Aug. 24, 1912, with the general purpose of promoting education in schools, colleges or other educational institutions, as well as a particular interest in Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester Technical High School, and the work of Massachusetts YMCAs. Trust brass has given priority to higher education, predominately in support of independent undergraduate education, in smaller institutions with full-time traditional undergraduate enrollments of at least 1,000 students and with a total undergraduate and graduate student population (full-time equivalents) of under 5,000. The trust focuses this support on institutions in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the six New England states.

Additional information on the George I. Alden Trust can be obtained online at www.aldentrust.org.

For more information on Niagara University's nursing programs, call 716-286-7358 or visit www.niagara.edu/nursing.

To support development of the nursing simulation center, contact Leslie Wise, director of planned giving, at 716-286-8590 or [email protected].