Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) is proud to announce that the Illinois State University Board of Trustees has voted to approve the construction of a new, two-story Nursing Simulation Lab building. The new 20,017-square-foot building will be placed on the site immediately west of the existing Nursing Simulation Lab and joined with building connectors to allow the new building and the existing building to function as one facility.
Currently, Mennonite College of Nursing is using the existing simulation lab building to full capacity. The college has grown steadily since becoming part of Illinois State in July of 1999. Today, the student population is nearly 800 undergraduate and graduate students, twice the number of students being served in 1999.
The college recognizes the immediate need for more BSN-prepared nurses—health care is facing a nursing shortage, both within the state of Illinois and nationally. Additionally, MCN recognizes the importance of providing interdisciplinary education for its graduates and creating partnerships in the wellness community. This building will allow MCN to prepare students for an ever-changing health care profession.
“The investment the Illinois State University Board of Trustees made today in supporting the strategic growth of the Mennonite College of Nursing’s simulation lab addition is an investment in the future of the health and well-being of the future of our state and nation,” said MCN Dean Dr. Judy Neubrander. “Nurses touch many areas of our lives, from beginning to end. Mennonite College of Nursing’s mission is to promote excellence and innovation in education while striving to improve health both locally and globally through exceptionally well-prepared nurses. This decision will help us continue that mission well into the future.”
The proposed building is expected to be complete in time for fall 2024. It will accommodate new additional nursing simulation space, skills lab space, health assessment space, graduate health assessment space, nursing simulation space, including virtual reality, debrief space, and faculty offices.
