From Pipeline to Placement: Developing a Model for Nursing Workforce Development
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Effectively addressing the national nursing workforce shortage requires systemic and transformational tactics. A community college, regional state university, k-12 school system, and local chamber of commerce formed a strategic partnership engaging local healthcare employers to identify the barriers and challenges contributing to the local nursing workforce shortage. Through data collection and conversation, the problem was identified as both production and retention. The authors developed a dynamic systems model integrating recruitment (input), instruction (throughput), and retention (output) initiatives all designed to graduate nursing students with a passion for living and working in our region. This presentation describes various initiatives creating coordinated and comprehensive pipeline and pathway programs that provide multiple on ramps between the K-12 system, the community college, and the university for students to learn about, prepare for, and pursue a healthcare career; targeted wraparound services; creation of a software system to track program enrollment and progression; and engagement with the local healthcare employers. Preliminary evidence suggests increased retention (100% amongst those who received scholarships) and graduation rates (100% of ADN and LPN and ADN students who received scholarships have graduated or been retained) at the community college, improved retention within the region upon first employment at the regional state university (increased by 57%), and increased stickiness to the community (100% of graduates who took part in pathway program are now employed in the county; 25 graduates (all RNs) now serve as mentors paired with up to three current students). This initiative serves as a model for addressing the workforce crisis through education and community alignment. Initial evidence indicates these efforts are helping to produce additional nurses and retain them at a higher level within our community, thereby decreasing the nursing workforce shortage.
