University of Lynchburg has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2017-2019, recognizing the excellence of its iON Nursing program.
The iON nursing program integrates iPad and other Apple technology into classrooms, simulations, and clinical settings. Launched in 2014, iON Nursing has fostered innovation, problem solving, and critical thinking in nurse education at Lynchburg.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the school environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.
“An important part of the Lynchburg experience is student engagement,” said Sally Selden, vice president and dean for academic affairs. “We’re proud of the way the nursing program has applied technology to engage students, and we’re pleased that Apple recognizes the quality education we provide.”
The selection of University of Lynchburg as an Apple Distinguished School highlights its success as an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.
Through iON Nursing, students majoring in nursing receive iPad devices as sophomores. Apple technology has changed the way they learn in the classroom and connect with their patients. Apple TV and AirPlay enable faculty to incorporate rich, interactive media into their lessons.
Students use electronic textbooks and use apps to visualize internal anatomy or procedures — inserting an IV, for example — whenever they need to. Students also use iPad to practice working with electronic records, a must-have skill for today’s nurses. In the clinical setting, they use iPad to teach patients about medical conditions and treatments.
The benefits are clear. Since adopting iON Nursing, the program has seen improvements in its graduates’ pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination. Graduation and retention rates have increased, too, meaning nursing students have become more likely to complete the nursing program. The program also has expanded its use of digital technology, decreased paper use, and adopted more active, engaged learning techniques.
“iPad has supported our mission and our vision for the nursing program,” said Jenna Lloyd, director of the nursing program. “We want to educate nurses who are prepared, technologically savvy, and ready to seamlessly transition into the working world. iPad gives us a different set of resources and tools in order for us to move our nursing program forward.”
