iROC Initiative
Transforming learning through the strategic use of advanced interactive technologies and innovative educational design.
Why iROC?
The Redefining Our Classroom Initiative, iROC, leverages technology to shift the traditional classroom into a dynamic learning environment. This initiative aims to revitalize the way we teach and better prepare our students for successful careers, honing their critical thinking and clinical judgment skills in a complex and evolving healthcare landscape.
Transforming nursing education
To prepare safe, competent nurses, students must engage in learning experiences that build critical thinking and strengthen clinical judgment. This requires nursing educators to move beyond traditional lecture-based instruction and adopt more personalized, application-focused approaches that bridge classroom learning with real-world clinical practice.
Launched in 2018, our iROC Initiative advances this mission by integrating active learning strategies into a dynamic digital classroom—empowering students as they develop into the nursing leaders of tomorrow.
We’re proud to have our Apple Distinguished School designation renewed for 2024–27, recognizing the continued impact of our iROC mobile learning initiative and our commitment to advancing 21st-century nursing education.
2018
Initiative launched
iROC Initiative began at University of Rochester School of Nursing
94%
Satisfaction score
Demonstrating the value of iROC Initiative as reported by ABSN students in 2026
1,200+
Total users
Supported more than 1,200 students since iROC Initiative launch in 2018
Our competency-based, collaborative approach allows us to successfully prepare future nurses to deliver exceptional patient care safely and skillfully. Healthcare has become increasingly complex, and preparing nurses with strong clinical judgement is foundational to the success of new graduates and to the health system.
Our competency-based, collaborative approach allows us to successfully prepare future nurses to deliver exceptional patient care safely and skillfully. Healthcare has become increasingly complex, and preparing nurses with strong clinical judgement is foundational to the success of new graduates and to the health system.
iROC in action
In the ABSN program
Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (ABSN) students receive an iPad on the first day of orientation and utilize it throughout their program.
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In the RN to BS program
Students receive an iPad in the RN to BS program to complete interactive and hands-on online courses, ensuring students have equitable access to coursework, technology, and IT support.
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In master's programs
In our Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education master's programs, students use the iPad in clinical settings to bring current evidence to the bedside and facilitate best practices in patient education.
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Dynamic environment
The iROC Initiative has enabled digital technologies to foster an environment of discovery which puts our students at the center of their own learning experience.
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Lab & clinical
Students use the iPad in the skills and simulation labs, and throughout their clinical experiences to document electronic records, scan patient barcodes, review case studies, and participate in virtual simulations.
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Faculty development
Our faculty and instructional designers are dedicated to innovation at every educational level.
Learn moreiROC & the ABSN Program
The iROC Initiative was launched in the Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (ABSN) program in 2019. Students receive an iPad on the first day of orientation and utilize it throughout their classroom, lab, and clinical experiences over the 12-month program. After implementation, students performed better on the Comprehensive Health Assessment exam and were more satisfied with instruction materials, workload, and resources.
iROC & the RN to BS Program
The iROC Initiative was launched in the RN to BS program in 2018. Students receive an iPad to complete interactive and hands-on online courses, ensuring students have equitable access to technology and IT support.
See what students are saying
Using the iPad has helped my learning by giving me a device that is easy to use and is integrated into the curriculum. Being able to directly interact with coursework, participate in classroom activities, and collaborate with peers has been so beneficial to my learning. The iROC Initiative has allowed me to feel confident in the classroom and the clinical setting.
The technology swayed me into choosing this program. It makes our learning so much easier. I’m as ready as I could ever be coming from nursing school.
We take actions as if in the clinical setting, so the effect is weightier than just getting a question answered in class. Our simulation and virtual-reality experiences transfer so well to the clinical setting. Instead of being worried so much about what I learned step-by-step in class, I've done that already, and now I can focus on the patient.
The iROC Initiative focuses on providing students with a technological platform that enhances their learning experience. The provision of the iPads at the beginning of the school year facilitated my learning in so many different ways. My favorite experience was an online telemedicine simulation—it was exciting to gain insight on this form of patient care.
Incorporating the iPads in our curriculum has truly given value to experiential learning. Learning has become fun and more interactive because of the games, surveys, and other activities we are able to do on the iPad. The iPads also create an enriching mock environment of clinical experiences that allow us to exercise and sharpen our fundamental nursing skills, which makes the material that much more comprehensive. I really feel more confident and equipped to begin my career.