September 11, 2018
East Texas Baptist University has secured a grant agreement with the Marshall Economic Development Corporation (Marshall EDC) for partial funding of workforce training equipment for the ETBU School of Nursing. With the intent to further develop quality Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates at ETBU, the equipment will be located in the Marshall Grand, the University’s nursing school expansion project. Over $2.75 million has been raised for the project, and the construction of the academic facilities in the Cargill- Anderson Building are underway.
“Relocating the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand will provide us the additional space needed to train more nurses to help meet the growing need for trained medical personnel in our state and region,” ETBU Vice President for Advancement Scott Bryant said. “The move impacts our community, East Texas, and wherever our students go as they serve Christ as nurse professionals.”
The grant from Marshall EDC will support ETBU’s purchase of vocational skills training equipment for the nursing skill simulation laboratory. The simulation equipment includes mannequins, headboards, hospital and medical treatment beds, gurneys, cameras, and computer simulation technology. The three floors of the Marshall Grand will be reconstructed as a simulation lab, skills lab, testing center, classrooms, study areas, prayer room, administrative space, dean’s office suite, and faculty offices for the nursing program.
Marshall EDC unanimously approved the $200,000 expenditure on July 29, and the Marshall City Commission provided final approval of the expenditure over $50,000 by Marshall EDC during their meeting held August 23.
“The decision to support ETBU was driven by the Board of Director’s desire to partner and support our local institutions of higher education,” CEcD Executive Director of Marshall EDC Donna Maisel commented. “To that end, Marshall EDC has reached out and met with each entity of higher education and workforce training to find ways in which we may all benefit. Creating stronger institutions for citizens benefits the future growth of the City of Marshall.”
With the grant secured to aid in the purchase of new equipment, the University will be able to further increase the quality of training the nursing undergraduates receive. The ETBU School of Nursing recently received its fourth consecutive 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination. The Nursing Program was also recently ranked eighth among 114 programs in Texas by RegisteredNursing.org.
“As a Christ-centered nurse education program, the practice at ETBU School of Nursing encompasses a healthcare philosophy that is integrated in biblical faith, infused with care and compassion, and grounded on the pursuit of evidence and innovation,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn shared. “We’re looking forward to this educational and workforce development partnership with Marshall EDC under the leadership of Donna Maisel. ETBU is grateful for the visionary leadership of our Marshall City Commission to ensure support for the professionally skilled training of our nursing students and future BSN graduates to Marshall, Harrison County, and the East Texas region.”