Practical Nursing students were the first to try out the Olathe Health Education Center (OHEC), on August 4. The new building, located on the Olathe Medical Center campus in Olathe, Kan., features more room and better technology than the previous location at King’s Cove.
Director of Practical Nursing and Health Occupations Jane Zaccardi said the Practical Nursing and Health Occupations departments moved from King’s Cove to the new building. Improvements include more beds for students to practice patient care on and Wi-Fi coverage.
“There is an increased number of beds, from 11 beds at the former location to 29 beds now available,” Zaccardi said. “We now also have Wi-Fi coverage in the classrooms, so students can bring their laptops.”
Practical Nursing students started classes at OHEC Aug. 4. Other students will start classes on August 22. OHEC houses the Practical Nursing and Health Occupations departments and classes on the second floor, while general education classes are offered on the first floor.
Professor of Practical Nursing Ginny Radom said her experience at OHEC was good so far.
“It’s beautiful, bright, sunny, safe,” Radom said. “The technology is amazing, the capabilities are phenomenal. People have been very helpful. We have everything we need and more.”
Practical Nursing student Lester Vipond said that there were a few problems at first.
“There are understandable bumps in the road,” Vipond said. “For example, professors have to get used to the new lab layout. It’s like having to drive a British car – it works the same, but things are not in the same place.”
Practical Nursing student Jill Hardy said that the OHEC campus was better than the King’s Cove campus.
“It’s like day and night,” said Hardy.
Fellow student Lori Hammons said she felt fortunate to be among the first class to graduate from the new facility, which she said is an improvement over the King’s Cove campus.
“It is definitely an improvement,” Hammons said. “The labs are so much bigger and have more beds per students.”
In addition to more modern technology, the building strives to be environmentally friendly. OHEC Building Manager Mike Stithem said many measures were taken to that effect.
“It is [the college]’s first official ‘green’ building,” Stithem said. “It is oriented to capture as much sunlight as possible, and there are light detectors and motion sensors to ensure lights only turn on when needed.”
Other measures include the use of low-fume paints, the planting of indigenous plants that require less watering, a hydration station, and the use of local construction materials.
In addition, users of the facility are encouraged to carpool through use of carpool-only parking spaces near the front of the building.
While students agree they have everything they need for successful classes, there are some things they say could be improved. Practical Nursing student Ashley Aull said the campus needed more food options.
“We need microwaves and vending machines,” Aull said.
Student Leah Bengfort said she wanted better facilities.
“Access to a computer lab would be nice,” Bengfort said.
Student Lester Vipond is one for whom the location of the campus itself is problematic. Vipond said OHEC lacked some facilities such as the library.
“I wish they had put this building on the main campus,” Vipond said. “I know it makes more sense economically to put it here.”
Hammons also misses access to some of the main campus’s facilities.
“I miss having access to the gym,” Hammons said. “It would be nice if we could have a shuttle facility between the main campus and OHEC.”
Stithem said vending machines and microwaves were planned and would be installed in the near future. He also said any other suggestions that would help to meet students’ learning needs are welcome.
The dedication of the new building will take place on Oct. 6. A list of classes offered at OHEC is available at www.jccc.edu.
Contact Rachel Luchmun, reporting correspondent, at rluchmun@jccc.edu