Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and ThedaCare, Shawano, recently welcomed community members, students, and health care professionals to an open house showcasing one of Wisconsin’s most innovative approaches to rural nursing education: hands-on training inside a working hospital.
This open house highlighted educational nursing simulation spaces, where students complete coursework and clinical training in the same environment where they will ultimately care for patients.
This long-standing partnership between NWTC and ThedaCare focus on addressing health care workforce gaps in rural regions. Together, both have developed solutions that allow students to train close to home, reducing barriers to entry and strengthening the local health care pipeline.
Attendees explored cutting-edge AR/VR simulation technology, hands-on clinical spaces and new pathways designed to prepare the next generation of nurses directly within the Shawano community. These experiences provided a glimpse into how modern technology and collaborative learning environments are preparing students to deliver high-quality patient care from day one.
“This collaboration with ThedaCare, Shawano, not only supports the expanding health care needs but provides relevant hands-on experiences that make valuable impacts in the workforce,” said Jeannie Otto, K12 Pathways and Community Impact coordinator, “We are supporting the long-term well-being of the community and creating a bright future for Shawano.”
By expanding nursing education access in Shawano, NWTC and ThedaCare are helping more learners pursue careers in health care while building a stronger, more resilient local workforce.
To learn more about NWTC Shawano nursing programs and opportunities, visit nwtc.edu/Shawano.
