Insightful Regional Site Visit to Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University

On September 25, 2023, the Nurse Educators of Northwest AHEC embarked on another one of their regional site visits. This time, their destination was to Boone, North Carolina, home to the prestigious Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University.

The purpose of the visit was to engage with the nursing faculty in the college, discuss potential collaboration, and assess needs that the faculty and students are currently experiencing. The nursing department is in the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences which houses labs, classrooms, and spacious student study areas and is situated just off the Blueridge Parkway.

The Nurse Educators were given a tour of the hall, spending a great deal of time in the state-of-the-art skills and simulation labs. It was very exciting to see the creative and innovative approaches that the nursing department is utilizing to prepare nursing students to meet the healthcare needs of the future. During the visit, the Nurse Educators engaged with the nursing faculty discussing current challenges in nursing education and strategies to address these needs.

The Nurse Educators shared a list of upcoming professional development activities that are available to nurses and healthcare professionals in the region. Engagement that occurs during the site visits allows the Nurse Educators to continue to provide meaningful support to our regional partners.

Pictured from left to right:

Ellen Zimmerman, MSN, RN, CHSE
Nurse Educator/RN Refresher Coordinator

Stephanie Yoder, MSN, RN
Nurse Educator

Alana Dodson, MBA, RN
Nurse Educator