Improvement of Educational Capacity by building human capital

Analyses of data from surveys related to the nursing workforce shortages commonly reveal that one of the contributory factors to the nursing shortage is the current capacity of nursing schools. Thousands of candidates are turned away each year from nursing programs, while the nursing workforce ranks continue to shrink. Many of the candidates who enroll in 2 and 4-year nursing programs are not necessarily equipped for the rigors of an academic nursing program and estimates of upwards of 50% attrition rates have been reported.

In December 2006, the NYS Department of Health awarded Iroquois Healthcare Association a Health Worker Retraining Initiative grant for development of the NursingEd Career Pathways Program as an online internet based pilot project available for current health care workers in Upstate NY.

The NursingEd Career Pathways program helps to identify and prepare more viable candidates for entry into schools of nursing, re-direct unprepared candidates to a skill improvement program, and essentially affect the make-up of the candidate pool, in an attempt to decrease the attrition rate, and increase the graduation rates of RN programs.

Participants are directed to www.getintohealthcare.com website to obtain career and training information for the NursingEd Pathways program.

Providing skills enhancements to employees may also assist in improving employee retention in the health care field, and also assist employers in identifying the most prepared candidates for tuition support programs. A customized learning blueprint developed for each participant, based on real assessment results, will turn the “career ladder” concept into purposeful activities, with reachable milestones and real results for health care employees as they pursue nursing.

The program includes:

Basic academic skills assessments in math, reading and listening skills. Customized blue print of learning to enhance skills, along with access to the Skillsoft 4000 course library Health Core Courses 6 Required Courses – Nursing Care: Diabetes, Psychosocial Aspects of Aging, Patient Safety: Your First Concern, Nutritional Needs, Infection Control Fundamentals, Confidentiality 6 Elective Courses – Choose from categories in: Anatomy and Physiology, Disease Management, Wound Care, Patient Care Skills NursingEd Exploration - The Exploration Module allows you to explore a Virtual Nursing School lecture hall and clinical lab videos with interactive exercises, interviews and real life lectures. There is an opportunity to explore a hands-on interactive Virtual Patient with simulation scenarios in the clinical assessment of respiratory and cardiac problem patients. Pre-RN Entrance Exam Practice Test - Entrance to nursing programs can be competitive! Advanced preparation for admissions testing can give an advantage during the application process. We've included a 100-item Pre-RN entrance exam practice test to help assess readiness. Pre-Nursing Certificate – Upon successful completion of the program participants receive a certificate to assist in their application to nursing school.