A $49 MILLION RENOVATION of the USI Health Professions Center, which houses the University's Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, is underway. The project adds more than 48,000 square feet of space for classrooms, updated labs and state-of-the-art equipment to support healthcare programs, while also transforming the building's exterior and creating a striking new front door for USI.
Inside, new labs, meeting spaces and updated areas for students and faculty will support continued growth of programs. Funding comes from the Indiana General Assembly's capital appropriation for USI, approved during the 2023 legislative session. This marks the fourth and final phase of a multistage project in the Health Professions Center, which began in 2017.
"The Kinney College is proud to play a vital role in BUILDING THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY and state, with licensure and certification pass rates that consistently exceed the national average. As we expand and renovate, our students will have access to cutting-edge labs and classrooms, ensuring they receive the BEST POSSIBLE TRAINING to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry."
- Dr. Julie McCullough, Dean of the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions
A Bold New Vision for Health Professions: The redesigned Health Professions Center will feature a striking new entrance, a 250-seat auditorium and expanded first-floor student spaces. New state-of-the-art labs for Nursing, Respiratory Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs, along with refreshed offices and study areas, will enhance learning and collaboration.
USI'S NURSING PROGRAM is advancing healthcare education by integrating cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) simulations into its curriculum. This immersive technology places students into realistic clinical environments where they can safely practice medication administration.
Students engage with VR in the new Clinical Simulation Center, located on the lower level of the Health Professions Center. Through the simulations, students gain hands-on experience calculating dosages and preparing medications, verifying patient identity and following safety protocols. The result is a dynamic learning experience that builds confidence, sharpens clinical judgment and significantly reduces the risk of medication errors in real-world settings.
This innovative approach not only enhances student learning but also demonstrates USI's commitment to excellence, patient safety and preparing future nurses to thrive in a fast-evolving healthcare landscape.
Learn more about USI's VR nursing simulations at USI.edu/vr-to-er.
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