The Indiana University East School of Nursing and IU Kokomo School of Nursing have a received a grant from the Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council (WPLC). The $15,000 will help the schools to purchase simulation equipment.

The WPLC awards grants to IU campuses each year, with funding administered by the IU Foundation.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the IU Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and their recognition of the importance of the IU East and IU Kokomo collaborative Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program project: Advancing health and increasing access to primary health care,” said Tonya Breymier, associate dean and assistant professor for IU East nursing graduate programs.

The FNP is IU East’s School of Nursing’s third concentration to be offered through its master’s program and began courses in spring 2015.

Breymier said the goal of the FNP program is to provide the east central Indiana and west central Ohio region with primary healthcare providers (FNPs) to facilitate access and quality health care services to underserved populations. She added Indiana has 3,951 primary care clinicians (physicians, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners), 51 for every 100,000 residents, the goal is 100 primary care clinicians for 100,000 residents. The shortage in rural areas is even more profound (according to Dr. Richard Kiovsky, director of the Indiana Area Health Education Centers).

FNPs are considered a primary health care provider who are educated and trained to provide a broad range of health care services including taking a patient’s history, performing a physical exam, and ordering laboratory tests and procedures. In addition, FNPs diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, write prescriptions, coordinate referrals and promote healthy lifestyles.

The IU East and IU Kokomo Master of Science in Nursing programs work to fulfill the call for a higher educated nursing workforce on an advanced healthcare provider level amidst a rapidly changing and complex health care system while assisting individuals, families, and communities to maximize their health potential. The graduate program embraces lifelong learning and provides support for teaching and learning to advance the profession and promote health for all.

“The partnership of IU East and IU Kokomo facilitates responsible allocation of limited faculty and curriculum resources in order to provide quality programs. Therefore, thanks to the WPC, the partnership will have the ability to educate more students and thus have a greater impact on the health care needs of the underserved in the state of Indiana,” Breymier said.

About the Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council
The IU Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council was convened by the Indiana University Foundation Board of Directors in 2010. The WPLC’s mission is to lead fundraising and engagement efforts that inspire women to give of their time, talent, and resources to Indiana University, and to develop women leaders in philanthropy.

Founded in 1936, the Indiana University Foundation maximizes private support for Indiana University by fostering lifelong relationships with key stakeholders and providing advancement leadership and fundraising services for campuses and units across the university.

About the IU East School of Nursing
The mission of the Indiana University East School of Nursing is to promote the optimal levels of health, wellness, and quality of life for citizens and communities of east central Indiana and beyond. The mission of the school is to create a community of learning that addresses society’s need for knowledgeable, competent and caring nursing professionals, while nurturing students, faculty and staff.

The IU East School of Nursing offers baccalaureate and master’s degree programs including Bachelor of Science in Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N Mobility Option and a Master of Science in Nursing. In addition to the IU East campus in Richmond, Ind., the IU East School of Nursing offers the R.N. to B.S.N. mobility option at the Danielson Center in New Castle, Ind., Ivy Tech Community College sites in Lawrenceburg and Madison, and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. IU East School of Nursing is a member of the IU School of Nursing R.N. to B.S.N. Online consortium which affords students the opportunity to complete the RN to BSN mobility option online.