Centre for the healthcare professionals of the future: “The Clinical Centre of Excellence will be a future-oriented centre for various types of simulations, testing and experimentation in digital interaction and e-health,” says Dean Gøril Ursin. Archive photo: Lillian Andersen Assuming that it is included in next year’s national budget, the planned new building for the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture at Nord University in Bodø will be ready in 2023. With 8,000 m2 available for modern laboratories, the new university building will constitute a unique investment in aquaculture but also in health sciences.
The new development means that significant parts of the existing premises will also be freed up to create a Clinical Centre of Excellence. This will lead to enormous strengthening of the health sciences.
“The Clinical Centre of Excellence will be a high-tech centre covering nearly 1,700 m2 and equipped with the best and most modern equipment. The centre will be tailored to ensure that we can train the healthcare professionals of the future,” says Gøril Ursin, Dean at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“These premises will be future-oriented and equipped for various types of simulations, testing and experimentation in digital interaction and e-health. On the whole, this resource will provide enormous opportunities for many of the other parties we collaborate with,” she says.
Clinical Centre of Excellence
Simulation as an educational method: A large number of simulation units will be ready for use at all times at the Clinical Centre of Excellence. Dean Gøril Ursin (right) together with Adviser Lars Ove Reinaas and Professor Aud Emelie Evensen from the nursing programme in Levanger. Photo: Bjørnar Leknes Nord University currently has an important social responsibility to train enough high-quality nurses with expertise aimed at meeting future needs for health services. The realisation of the Blue Building will also significantly increase the capacity for health science programmes.
“The Clinical Centre of Excellence will elevate all of our health science programmes. This means nursing, paramedicine and social education, but also more advanced clinical continuing and further education programmes.”
“We will be able to admit more students. Another equally important factor is that this will strengthen the quality of our study programmes, as we will be able to simulate realistic and complex cases that are closely linked to what our students will face after completing their studies,” Ursin says.
The centre will be a learning laboratory for the health sciences, which will also facilitate research.
High ambitions for health sciences. Gøril Ursin is the Dean at Nord University’s Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. Photo: Bjørnar Leknes The place where soft subjects meet technology
Society will require a significantly higher number of nurses in the coming years. The health services also need to adapt by adopting new technological solutions.
“We need better infrastructure to train nurses that can lead the way in the technological developments that are already approaching. The Clinical Centre of Excellence will provide us with an excellent opportunity for precisely this,” says Gro Bentzen, Head of Studies at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Among other things, the new Clinical Centre of Excellence will be equipped with a state-of-the-art operating theatre and an intensive care unit. There will also be facilities in place for simulation laboratories, including a dedicated paediatric nursing lab.
Furthermore, there are also plans in place to add training spaces for other professions to practice. Here, students from programmes in policing, social work or child welfare will also have the opportunity to simulate cases.
Simulation and interaction
Additionally, a large number of simulation units will be available for use at all times. These can be used for the teaching and training of the Faculty’s own students but also by external parties such as hospitals and the local authority health services.
“We know that students gain significant advantages if they practice practical procedures before heading out to start work,” says Ranveig Salater Rotmo, who is the Head of the Nursing Programme.
“By using simulation as an educational method, students receive training that provides them with the confidence and expertise to provide holistic care for patients,” she says.
Ripple effects for the region as a whole
Ambulance simulator A dedicated ambulance simulator is also planned for the Clinical Centre of Excellence. Photo: istock. Furthermore, the Faculty will establish a dedicated ambulance simulator and a skills space for nurses, paramedics and social educators. This part of the Centre of Excellence can also be converted to a large accident and emergency ward for major drills. Tove Klæboe Nilsen is the acting Director of Quality and Research at Helse Nord. She is excited about Nord University’s ambitious plans to strengthen the health sciences.
“Outstanding facilities for teaching and research will ensure that Nord University becomes more attractive to students and employees alike.”
“This also means better recruitment of healthcare professionals in the region and improved opportunities to collaborate with the hospitals in the northern region on research and innovation,” says Klæboe Nilsen.