The University of San Diego on Tuesday opened its new $18 million Institute for Nursing Research.
The three-story facility has computerized mannequins, simulated hospital suites, and other equipment to help nurses hone their skills.
But the dean of USD’s nursing school, Sally Brosz Hardin, said their real focus is research.
“Which means that we are not just getting nurses to practice clinically and safely, but we’re also trying to look at what are the best ways to educate nurses," she said. "What sorts of treatments should nurses use to make patients more comfortable?"
USD's nursing school also specializes in graduate education, where all of its 600 students are pursuing either a masters or a doctoral degree.
Hardin said there's a shortage of bedside nurses, but there's an equal shortage of nursing professors.
“And that’s what this institute provides," she said. "We are preparing nurses that will teach the next generation of nurses.”
Nearly half of the institute's funding came from Betty and Bob Beyster, who also are contributors to KPBS.
