The Community College of Baltimore County School of Health Professions has received its third Nursing Support Program grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission since 2007. The three-year grant worth $571,448 is for the school's "Minority Student Retention and Success" project.

This grant, which runs through June 30, 2014, will be used to maximize the use of CCBC's simulation technology capabilities; increase retention and graduation rates among minority students in the nursing program; and provide culturally relevant teaching for faculty, staff and students to enhance their sensitivity when communicating with those from other cultures, especially their patients.

"CCBC has been revising its nursing curriculum for the past several years to better reflect the current and future workplace," said Elizabeth Webster, RNC MS, nursing program coordinator and project director for the grant. "Initially, we tackled the didactic part of the curriculum. This grant will enable us to focus on the clinical education component that is designed to mirror direct patient care and give students a more hands-on, sensory educational experience."

The grant allows for the hiring of two dedicated simulation technicians – one each for the Catonsville and Essex campuses – who will assist in developing multipatient scenarios and creating realistic, controlled learning environments through simulated clinical experiences.

About a third of CCBC's nursing students are minorities. CCBC is examining factors that contribute to minority attrition.