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The College of New Rochelle School of Nursing Receives $50,000 Grant From the Verizon Foundation for Telenursing Pilot Program

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 March 2009, 10:00 CDT

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The College of New Rochelle has received a two-year, $50,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support a "telenursing" pilot program at the college's school of nursing. The school is one of the first baccalaureate nursing schools in the nation to incorporate telenursing -- the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide nursing services to patients -- into a formal home health care nursing curriculum.

Working in a simulated home health care environment with a computerized manikin "client," CNR's nursing students will learn to use an Internet connection and video, voice and data communications to enable patients or caregivers to perform their own measurements, such as monitoring vital signs, at home. The results are automatically sent via the Internet to the care manager, who has access to clinical-review software. This technology can replace a home visit, or show that a visit is needed.

The telenursing simulation experience will enable students to master new technology and promote further technological innovation related to providing access to better home health care. In addition, the experience will foster student understanding of how to educate clients and families in the use of technology to access reliable Internet information, thereby increasing self-care and independence.

Dr. Mary Alice Donius, dean of the School of Nursing at The College of New Rochelle, said, "Verizon's generosity will allow our students to master critical skills through telenursing hands-on technology, thus directly addressing the critical nursing shortage by enabling the students to offer future clients greater and more immediate access to health care."

Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston presented the grant, to be paid over two years, to Donius on Wednesday (March 18) at The College of New Rochelle's Wellness Center. Those attending the presentation included New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson; Tom McCarroll, Verizon executive director of state and local government affairs; and John F. Butler, Verizon director of government and external affairs.

"Technology provides a tremendous tool for expanding training opportunities to health care professionals and improving care for patients," said Gaston. "We are proud to partner with The College of New Rochelle on this innovative program."

Established in 1976, the School of Nursing at The College of New Rochelle is widely recognized for innovation and excellence in programming that is responsive to the public's changing health needs.

The first Catholic college for women in New York state, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools that admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School. The main campus of the college is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City. The college has five other campus locations in New York City. More information is available at the college's Web site at www.cnr.edu.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon

Source: PR Newswire

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