State Fair Community College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Feb. 13, celebrating the completion of a new nursing program facility at its Osage Beach campus.
Representatives from the Lake Area Chamber, the Camdenton Area Chamber and the Lake West Chamber joined SFCC students, faculty and staff for the event. The ceremony included remarks from SFCC President Dr. Brent Bates and a Nightingale Tribute by the Nurses Honor Guard of Mid-Missouri, a tradition honoring the dedication of nurses. The ribbon was cut by SFCC nursing student Kristen Renneman.
“Nursing is a very important program for State Fair Community College and our Lake of the Ozarks campus,” said SFCC President Dr. Brent Bates. “This new facility will enable us to continue providing opportunities to develop strong medical care throughout the area.”
The new 1,200-square-foot learning lab features six hospital beds, a fully equipped simulation room and a dedicated observation room where instructors can monitor and guide students during training exercises. At the heart of the lab is a state-of-the-art simulation manikin capable of mimicking real patient scenarios, allowing students to practice assessment, care and clinical decision-making in a safe, realistic setting.
“This new lab allows us to continue bringing essential hands-on experience to our nursing students right here in the heart of the Lake area,” said Tabitha Thompson, director of SFCC’s Lake of the Ozarks campus. “It not only enhances the quality of education we can offer but also strengthens our local health care workforce, which benefits our entire community.”
SFCC nursing classes previously held at the Eldon Career Center will now be taught at the Lake of the Ozarks campus.
SFCC’s nursing program prepares students to meet the requirements to become licensed practical nurses in their first year. Students can then seamlessly transfer into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program to become registered nurses. The program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and includes hands-on learning, support from experienced faculty and advanced placement opportunities for current LPNs and paramedics.
For more information about nursing at SFCC’s Lake of the Ozarks campus, visit sfccmo.edu/lake.
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