Columbia University School of Nursing receives $6.5 million to educate future nurse leaders

Columbia University School of Nursing has been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the Helene Fuld Health Trust for three vital projects that will educate future nurse leaders.

"This generous gift from the Helene Fuld Health Trust — the largest single donation in our school's 123-year history — will enable us to continue a tradition of leadership in nursing education, preparing world-class nurses to meet the challenges of today's dynamic health care environment," said Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of Columbia Nursing.

First, funding will support the development of the newly named Helene Fuld Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art simulation learning laboratory where students will hone their skills on high-tech mannequins prior to entering the clinical environment. The simulation lab will be housed in the new building for Columbia University School of Nursing, currently under construction at West 168th Street and Audubon Avenue.

The new Fuld Simulation Center will include a variety of realistic care settings, such as patient exam rooms, a critical care unit, and delivery and operating rooms that will help students develop their skills and instincts in a safe and protected environment. Sophisticated audio-visual technology will allow instructors to play back a sequence of events and provide real-time feedback to students.

The Fuld Center will occupy nearly two full floors of the new building, more than quadrupling the school's current simulation space. This will allow Columbia Nursing to incorporate simulated learning into all of its clinical programs and to educate more than 800 students during the academic year.

Second, funds will expand the existing Helene Fuld Scholarship Fund by providing increased financial aid for students entering the accelerated master's and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program. The combined program is a pillar of Columbia Nursing's new curriculum. "These clinicians of the future will be fully equipped to make major contributions to educating, caring for, and treating individuals, families, and communities as well as play key roles in advocating and formulating progressive health care policy," said Berkowitz.

Third, funds will establish the Helene Fuld Institute for Excellence in Simulation. This portion of the gift will enable Columba Nursing to help disseminate best simulation practices throughout the field of nursing.

"These three crucial initiatives allow us to honor our tradition while maintaining the kind of innovation that benefits not only our students, but enriches the entire profession of nursing for generations to come," said Berkowitz. "We are grateful to the Trust for their extraordinary commitment to nursing education."