STOCXKTON — Congressman Josh Harder, D-Tracy, has secured $3.8 million in community project funding to expand Delta College’s nursing program.

The money will enable Delta College to upgrade and expand the program’s state-of-the-art simulation labs, where students can practice their clinical training on life-like ‘patient mannequins’ and receive detailed feedback about their work.

Delta College’s nursing program currently includes 120 students each year.

Funding will support the college’s plans to nearly double the number of nursing students being trained.

 “Our families are waiting way too long to get the healthcare they need,” said Harder, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. “We have to train and keep more health practitioners in San Joaquin County.”

“I am proud to bring home this money to expand Delta College’s nursing program to make sure we are training talent right here at home and getting our families the health care they need.”

 Simulation-based nursing education (i.e., Sim Lab) provides students with opportunities to practice their clinical and decision-making skills through various real-life situational experiences in a safe environment.

Students will be able to practice everything from setting up IVs and taking urine samples to shocking ‘patient manikins’ and performing tracheotomies. The simulators have tubing in their arms and legs so students can feel for a pulse while the manikins' chests move up and down to mimic a human breathing

"It's critical that the San Joaquin Valley has enough nurses to serve the region's rapidly growing population,” ," said Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson, Delta College Superintendent / President.

“ This grant will allow Delta College to expand the number of nursing simulation laboratories on our campus, so that we can support our growing nursing program and help meet the community's future needs. We are deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Education and to Congressman Josh Harder for partnering on this important project,”

.