Southwestern College, Butler Community College, Cowley College, and William Newton Hospital hosted an open house event Thursday in the newly completed Nursing Simulation Center in the Winfield Healthcare Center on the hospital campus.

"We're thrilled to welcome nursing students back to Winfield and our campus. This program is a vital investment in the future of healthcare in south-central Kansas, providing essential training and strengthening our workforce," said Brian Barta, William Newton Hospital Chief Executive Officer. 

Community members, college and hospital trustees, faculty, and staff from the partnering institutions filled the space applauding the signing of a formal partnership agreement and cheering again as administrators cut the large purple ribbon provided by the Winfield Chamber of Commerce.

“Simulation training in an environment with this level of interactive technology gives our students a decided advantage as they hone their clinical skills and build confidence as healthcare providers,” said Shona Turner, Associate Professor of Nursing, Director of the BSN Nursing Program at Southwestern College. 

Event attendees were able to see demonstrations of the realistic high-fidelity patient manikins and pharmaceutical dispensing unit as they toured the space. 

“This collaboration is unique in that it involves two community colleges, a private independent college, and a hospital as a private entity, all in partnership with each other to benefit the community. I am not aware of anything like this in the state. Cowley College is focused on strengthening the workforce in south-central Kansas and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to our students,” said Dr. Michelle Schoon, Cowley College President. 

Projections demonstrate that the ongoing nursing shortage will become more pronounced in the coming years. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that by 2035 non-metropolitan areas will experience a need in excess of 75,000 registered nurses (RNs) to meet the projected demand. 

“It is no secret that there is a shortage of highly trained and qualified nurses and that need is amplified in rural communities – William Newton needs avenues to recruit a workforce that is familiar with communities like ours. Similarly, we as community members, need and want excellent nurses to care for us and for our loved ones,” added Dr. Liz Frombgen, Southwestern College President.

Rural Kansas hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals, like William Newton Hospital, and rural-based health clinics will be most impacted by the nursing shortage. The Kansas Hospital Association Annual Workforce Survey shows that in 2023 a total of 2,352 full-time, equivalent vacancies were reported for RNs – during that same time, Kansas hospitals reported a 16% turnover rate for RNs, which has improved slightly since the national pandemic, but continues to compound the workforce shortage.

“As community-based institutions of higher learning, we can play an important role in attracting and preparing a new generation of nurses to answer that need and we can have a greater impact and our resources will go further if we are committed to working together,” added Frombgen 

Butler Community College Associates Degree in Nursing students began using the Simulation Center space earlier in the week, while Southwestern College’s first cohort of nurses will begin learning in the space in the fall of 2025.

“Butler knows firsthand that higher education is stronger when our colleges work together to achieve things we would be unable to accomplish alone. This unique collaboration that includes two outstanding colleges, Cowley and Southwestern, plus a dynamic regional hospital, is certain to meet the needs of the communities we collectively serve. The level of cooperation has been remarkable, and we could not have asked for better partners to undertake this difference-making initiative,” said Dr. Jackie Vietti, Butler Interim President. 

News Story on KWCH

KWCH Channel 12 News sent a reporter down to document the ribbon cutting.

► Watch the video here.

About Southwestern College

Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south-central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides options for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Learn more about Nursing at Southwestern College by visiting www.sckans.edu/nursing. 

About Cowley College 

Cowley College was founded in 1922 and has a rich history of providing quality education for over a century with multiple campuses located in Arkansas City, Mulvane, Wellington, Wichita, and Winfield Kansas. Cowley College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of academic programs, including associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce development courses, catering to various career paths and interests. Visit cowley.edu for more information.

About Butler Community College 

Butler Community College, Kansas' only Adobe Creative Campus and a recognized Aspen Institute Top 150 U.S. Community College, offers more than 100 degree programs and 30 professional certification programs in person and online. The main campus is in El Dorado, Kansas, with several other campuses throughout the county and beyond. Visit www.butlercc.edu to learn more. 

About William Newton Hospital

William Newton Hospital (WNH) in Winfield, KS is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital serving Cowley County and the neighboring regions with a proud heritage of excellence in patient care. The hospital provides general medical and surgical care for inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room patients. WNH's network includes numerous primary care and specialty clinics spread across south-central Kansas. Just a few of the healthcare services offered include cardiology, orthopedics & sports medicine, foot & ankle care, labor & delivery, OB/GYN care, cardiac rehab, oncology, pulmonary rehab, radiology, wound care, occupational health for business & industry, and rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. With a wide range of services not often found in a rural hospital, WNH strives to provide big-city medicine, with small-town service. Visit www.wnhcares.org to learn more.