UC College of Nursing Named Apple Distinguished Program

CINCINNATI—The University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2014–16 for its "iCoN Initiative,” which began in 2011 and was designed to transform the delivery of nursing education in the classroom, simulation laboratory and clinical settings.

This initiative—through immersive training programs, classroom and simulation space enhancements and student engagement—has focused on creatively leveraging iPad as a vehicle for teaching and learning. 

The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.

"Nursing has always been a blend of art and science,” says Greer Glazer, PhD, dean, UC College of Nursing. "This continues to ring true. Just as stethoscopes, X-rays and digital devices have proven that technology can improve health care outcomes, we feel iPads can be used to enhance nursing student learning outcomes.”

UC College of Nursing is known nationally for its innovative use of technology in nursing education, with the vision of using it to impact health care provision.

• In 2011, the UC College of Nursing rolled out the use of iPad, teaching nurse educators the skills they’d need to deliver nursing content to an already tech-savvy student body. The College of Nursing established the iPad Institute, a multi-day, intensive training course for faculty on how to use iPad, Apple TV and apps. The iPad Institute continues yearly. 
• In 2013, the college’s sophomore bachelor of science in nursing class and incoming doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students began using iPads for course content delivery. Use of iPads has now expanded to other classes and graduate programs. 
• Facilitated by iPad, iPhone and other devices, UC’s College of Nursing faculty have employed the use of video, standardized patient actors and a Web module to create a virtual experience for distance learning students not unlike the experience on-site nursing students have. 

"Our end goal is to graduate nurse leaders who are critical thinkers and confident with technology so that they are able to seamlessly access the tools they need without losing sight of what is most important—the patient,” says Glazer.

>> Download the UC College of Nursing’s iBook on iTunes, which details the "iCoN initiative.” 

About the UC College of Nursing

The UC College of Nursing, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, is one of four colleges of the University of Cincinnati’s Academic Health Center. The College of Nursing currently enrolls over 2,900 students in onsite, online and hybrid nursing degree programs that include RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, DNP (doctor of nursing practice) and PhD, as well as a graduate certificate in nursing education and post-MSN certificates. Learn more about the college at www.nursing.uc.edu.