How to Build STEM Confidence in Tomorrow’s Nurses: 3 Insights from Educators

Nearly 1 in 5 nursing students who start a program don’t graduate. Why? For many, it’s confidence and preparedness.

In last week’s webinar, Christine Vogel, MSN, RN, CHSE, CHSOS and Ayla Roberts, MSN, RN shared their experiences both as students themselves and as educators, with Sarah Stahulak, a revenue enablement professional who is passionate about turning learning into action, as the host.

Here are three takeaways from the conversation:

1. Nursing shortages are putting pressure on the education system.

According to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to meet the demand for nurses in the United States, we’d need to graduate about 10,000 more RNs AND about 10,000 more LPNs every year. However, a lack of academic preparation and confidence prevents many aspiring nurses from completing their programs.

2. Foundational STEM knowledge matters … big time.

Struggles in courses like Anatomy & Physiology and medication calculations can jeopardize student success further down the line in nursing school. Drop and fail rates for A&P courses are as high as 50%. That’s a lot of struggling students for a course that is a requirement for most nursing and health science majors.

3. Labster’s virtual labs empower students and educators.

Repeatable, risk-free simulations help students master STEM essentials, with many improving by a letter grade or more. Labster is different because instructors can integrate it into their courses without disrupting their existing teaching plan. They can assign a Labster virtual lab the same way they’d assign a textbook chapter.

Want to catch the rest of the learnings? Watch the 37-minute video!