Confidently move forward with new purchases by following these steps!
Make a comparison chart or spreadsheet of features, pricing, and miscellaneous information for each product you are considering to meet your identified objectives. As you evaluate new equipment purchases for your nursing skills lab or simulation program use these next three tips to increase satisfaction with your next purchases.
Work with your vendor rep to clarify the overall long-term price. Is there a training fee for onboarding new users? Discuss extended warranty options, annual service fees, and any required licensing fees (even if they are initially included for a period of time). Ask about consumables that will need to be replaced and how long they usually last.
Simulation equipment for nursing skills labs or simulation programs can be very expensive. Initial investment price is only one factor among many that should be taken into account when choosing which product is the best fit for your simulations. Share the information you collect in with decision makers to support your case as to why you have chosen the specific product you did.
If you followed the four steps in the beginning of this blog post, you have a good idea of exactly what you need. You also know the initial and long-term budget investments necessary to ensure you maximize the equipment longevity. What if your program budget doesn’t cover the costs? Grant funding is one way to offset the cost of expanding your simulation equipment. This daunting task is a little more manageable if you keep the following in mind.
Identify what are the current and near-future program needs. Is the program expanding in size or scope? Will you be adding new courses with different equipment needs? Will the space be changing in size? What are the personnel needs that go along with the change? Some programs fall into the trap of buying complex equipment without an implementation plan for using and maintaining it.
A useful tool to find foundations interested in donating to your program is the Foundation Directory Online (FDO) found at https://fconline.foundationcenter.org Please note that this is a paid service, but you usually can access the database from your local public library or perhaps even in your university library. Once you have access to the database, you can filter searches to include your location, student population, or even the type of project. The database provides contact information, deadlines, even the grant application requirements.
Once you find some foundations interested in supporting your “cause” it is time to write the application(s). The easiest way for foundations to sort through the volume of applicants is to eliminate those applications that do not meet the specific requirements. Be mindful of due dates, all required documents, and staying within word counts. Make sure your otherwise fabulous grant application isn’t rejected because you didn’t follow the rules! Have someone with a strong attention to detail review what you are about to submit making sure you included everything. Here is a getting started document from the US Department of Health and Human Services full of tips for good grant proposals.
Simulation-based activities are a great way to encourage immersive learning for students. Don’t let costly mistakes set your program back instead of moving it forward! Use the steps in this post to identify what you need, match your expectations with the right equipment, and know how to make it all happen with adequate funding. This is an ongoing process with each new purchase whenever acquiring new products or replacing retired equipment.
Do you teach medication administration and need funding for a complete system that includes a dispensing unit, an eMAR, and real barcode scanning for both the patient and the medication? You can request a FREE Grant Template.