UR School of Nursing Honored as an Apple Distinguished School

The University of Rochester School of Nursing has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its innovations in teaching, learning, and creating a digital learning environment to better prepare the nursing workforce of tomorrow.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning personal. The UR School of Nursing has earned the distinction for a three-year period: 2021 to 2024.

“We’re thrilled to have received this acknowledgement from Apple,” said Kathy Rideout, EdD, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, dean of the UR School of Nursing. “Our school has a long history of cutting-edge nursing education, and the work of our faculty and education innovation team have done to transform the delivery and transfer of knowledge to future nurses is just the latest extension of that proud legacy.”

The school’s iROC (Redefining Our Classroom) initiative leverages technology to shift the traditional classroom into a dynamic learning environment. Across the spectrum of UR Nursing programs, the school’s academic leadership team has succeeded in integrating active learning strategies with the use of iPads as well as other experiential learning activities, such as simulation, to give students new tools in preparation for a rapidly changing profession. The initiative aims to revitalize the way we teach and better prepares students for a successful career in health care, honing their critical-thinking and clinical judgement skills.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UR School of Nursing drew upon its years of work with educational technology to create a seamless transition to remote learning. The school first piloted its iROC initiative with the RN to BS program in 2018, using iPads to expand the reach of its program and provide adult learners with a high-tech, high-touch experience. The initiative later expanded to the Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (APNN) and master’s level programs.

Visit the School of Nursing's academic innovation site to learn more about the school's cutting-edge use of education technology.