LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In the midst of a nationwide nursing shortage, the University of Louisville dedicated new space to train nurses on Thursday.
The school completed a $700,000 renovation in its nursing school, renovating and upgrading classrooms to "make UofL's School of Nursing a competitive destination for students," a news release said.
"With changes ranging from noise reduction and brightened teaching and learning spaces, to modern technology for teaching and learning, the positive and ultramodern environment allows students to focus on the didactic learning that immediately supports their clinical experiences and ultimately, strengthens their readiness to practice,” UofL School of Nursing Interim Dean Mary DeLetter said.
UofL currently has about a 1,000 nursing students enrolled in its program, but the Kentucky Nurses Association estimates the state will be short around 20,000 nurses by 2025.
"These aren't just classroom, they're training facilities and as Cardinal nurses, this is our nest," Ellen Tinker, UofL nursing student said.
As part of the celebration, one room, Room 2022, was dedicated in honor of Flora McGuire Ponder. She was one of the first black nursing students in the old Louisville General Hospital nursing program. It was the precursor to the UofL School of Nursing. Ponder also helped start and served as director of nurses at the Park DuValle Community Health Center.
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
