UC Blue Ash College

Nursing Technology Requirement

The UC Blue Ash College technology requirement is an initiative to enrich the nursing education experience through the use of laptops and iPads for easy and quick access to information.

This undertaking has involved changing the way content is delivered in the classroom, skills, simulation, and clinical setting. The laptop and/or iPad facilitates content generation, collaboration and communication both online and onsite for both students and faculty.

Beginning Fall 2018, all UC Blue Ash College students will be required to have a laptop to support their learning. Numerous colleges and universities, including several other UC colleges, currently have laptop requirements. The required laptop will meet the technology requirements of the Nursing Department. Requiring student ownership means that financial aid can be used to cover this purchase as needed. Recommended Laptop Specifications can be found below.

The other approved optional device for the Nursing department is the iPad Mini 32 GB. The iPad Mini will meet the technology requirement of the department, but does not meet the laptop initiative of the college-at-large. If you elect to use the iPad for your Nursing courses, you will still be required to have a laptop for non-nursing courses and nursing course testing.

Recommended Laptop Specifications

UC Blue Ash College Recommended Laptop Specifications

Minimum Specifications

  Windows Macintosh
Operating System Windows 7 or higher Mac OS X 10.11 or higher
Memory 4 GB 4 GB
Storage >250 GB hard drive or >128 GB SSD >250 GB hard drive or >128 GB SSD
Screen >10 inches >10 inches
Processor 4th Gen iCore equivalent or better 4th Gen iCore equivalent or better
Webcam Built-in or add-on Built-in or add-on
Wireless 802.11n or 802.11ac 802.11n or 802.11ac
     

Recommended Specifications

  Windows Macintosh
Operating System Windows 10 Mac OS X 10.12
Memory 8 GB+ 8 GB+
Storage 128 GB or larger SSD 128 GB or larger SSD
Screen >12 inches >12 inches
Processor 6th Gen iCore 5 or better 6th Gen iCore 5 or better
Webcam Built-in 720p or greater Built-in 720p or greater
Wireless 802.11ac 802.11ac

How It Benefits Students

The technology requirement contributes to our students' education by providing:

  • More meaningful learning experiences.
  • Enhanced student services.
  • Significant textbook savings.
  • More effective note-taking capabilities.
  • Portability: enabling you to easily carry all of your nursing resources with you all the time.
  • Students' and faculty's ability to instantly generate and share media rich content.
  • Multiple uses: no need to buy a separate camera, digital recorder, calculator, PRS clicker, etc.
  • Extended use: long battery life allows you to make it through the day without charging.

One Option for Nursing Students:

Based on its functionality, size and price point, we've selected the following as the standardized device for this endeavor. Keep in mind, the iPad will not fulfill the overall technology requirement of UC Blue Ash College.

Questions

Does the Nursing Department have funding available for students who can't afford an iPad?

We are sensitive that an iPad is a financial investment for you. Therefore, we are working extremely hard to make sure that it is an investment that increases your success as a student and a nurse. While we don't have funding specifically allocated for iPads, they qualify for financial aid, the same as textbooks do.

Will students be required to purchase e-texts or can students buy print versions?

Students will have the choice of which textbook type to purchase. Students are not required to purchase e-texts, however, the Nursing Department has standardized an e-text platform and an associated app should you choose to purchase e-texts, which are recommended.

The benefits of purchasing e-texts include:

  • advanced note-taking
  • electronic highlighting
  • improved search functionality
  • helpful flash card generation
  • significant cost-savings: the typical cost-savings for e-texts is approximately 40% to 60% off the cost of the print version. In addition, many e-texts provide rental options which offer even more significant savings.

Resources

Contact Information

Walters Hall | Room 289
Phone: 513-558-9463
Email: nursing@ucblueash.edu