(KNZA)--The Highland Community College nursing program has received a $10,000 grant.

The grant from the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust will be used to enhance the operation of the new Janean Bowen Nursing Simulation Center at Highland’s Technical Center in Atchison.

The Simulation Center houses the program’s SimMan “family”, computer-operated simulated patients that provide the nursing instructors with the capability of providing near life-like symptoms on which student nurses can learn proper care techniques. Previously, the nursing instructors needed to be standing bedside with a laptop.

The grant will help provide sound and a computerized viewing system in a control room in which the instructors can operate the SimMan mannequins and view the student-learning through a one-way mirror.

Cynthia Jacobson, Director of Nursing for the College, is now working with the HCC Foundation to acquire the remaining $10,000 it will take to acquire the necessary equipment to complete the operation of the Center.