Responding to the Need for Nurses: A Pilot Project Healthcare Share Spring Conference April 7, 2006

Its in the news… and its happening everywhere Nursing Shortage--a world wide problem! FYI - Nursing Shortage Nursing Shortage Looms Healthcare Leaders Grapple With Workforce Issues The nursing shortage in Virginia Nursing Shortage Nursing is the nations hottest job and that status is unlikely to change for at least a decade, according to new government employment statistics. What's the scoop on the nursing shortage?

Partnering for Excellence in Health Careers Education Vision Statement: Harper College Health Career programs

Project goals To provide the Nursing Program curriculum in a flexible, responsive, and accountable manner to community partners. To provide on-site healthcare core courses that will improve career pathways within the agencies.

Harper Colleges Role Offer fully accredited Nursing Program in a manner that supports the healthcare worker Offer Health Science Core courses on site at partner hospitals Use standard procedures and protocols Provide on-site advising Hire and facilitate contracts for faculty

Hospital Partners Roles Provide clinical sites for students in all areas of the curriculum Support their participating employees Cost-sharing with Harper College

Collaborative Efforts Determine academic calendar and class schedule Seek grant funding

Critical Skills Shortages Initiative (CSSI) July 04 CSSI application with plans to address the healthcare skill shortages Nov 04 awarded $150,000 for initial cohort (i.e., faculty, lab supplies, lab support, advising, licensing fees) July 05 awarded additional funding March 06 awarded second year funding for initial cohort

Implementation: Nursing Program

Nursing Program Expansion Began March 4, 2005 Classes/lab at Harper College every Friday, 9-5 Clinicals at NWH and SAMC every other Sat/Sun Complete LPN January 2006 Complete RN December 2006

Nursing Program Expansion Admission 3/05 Admitted 20 qualified applicants from the partner hospitals. Priority given for having more general education courses complete. Curriculum Offered NLNAC accredited IDFPR approved program

Nursing Program Expansion Faculty Hired one fulltime faculty and one adjunct faculty Theory/Lab/Clinical instruction Adapted to FRI/weekend format Lab supplies/support Lab assistant and peer tutors hired

Nursing Program Expansion Advising Academic and nonacademic advising/counseling Attrition Qualified students prepared to join this cohort Licensing Exit exam and licensing fees paid by the grant

Implementation: On-site Health Science Core

On-site Health Science Core Courses 5 Classes offered on site at a preferred day and time for participants Courses: –Computer Usage in Healthcare –Introduction to the Health Care Field –Medical Terminology –Health Care Law and Ethics –Pharmacology

On-site Health Science Core Courses The courses offered are part of a group of core classes and are prerequisites into several career programs at Harper College Curriculum is identical in objectives to on-campus classes but adapted to surroundings

On-site Health Science Core Potential Careers Cardiac Technologist Nursing Dietetic Technician Health Insurance Specialist Radiology Technologist Diagnostic Sonography Health Care Secretary Certificate Etc.

On-site Health Science Core Began March 2005 with 20 participants from each site. Classes at NWH at 4pm on Tues/Thurs Classes at St. Alexius at 5pm on Mon/Wed Classes ran consecutively with little time off (July 4 th week, etc.) Completed all 5 classes December 2005

Health Science Core Faculty Adjunct faculty were used, including some hospital staff from the site Advising Academic and nonacademic advising/ counseling were held on-site, on-campus, and telephonically/ electronically as applicable. Topics included test taking skills, memorization techniques and career pathing

Health Science Core Retention 23 completed all 5 classes 31 completed at least 4 classes 35 completed at least 3 classes 38 completed at least 2 classes

Program Evaluation: Methodology and Results

A multi-method research strategy Survey of Current Students Other Student Information –Course grades –Usage of Advising and Counseling services Exit Interview of Non-Continuing Students Supervisor Assessment of the program

Survey of Current Students What students liked best about the program Satisfaction with facets of instruction

Survey of Current Students: Results

Student Information Grades Advising & Counseling Application to other Healthcare programs (HSC students only)

Student Information: Grades

Student Information: Usage of Advising and Counseling Services Harpers advisors have had approximately 240 student contacts since the program started Student contacts include individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions, and informal discussions Approximately 80% of the contacts occurred during scheduled group sessions Most of the contacts (nearly 90%) occurred in the first semesters of the program

Student Information: Application to Other Health Programs Among the HSC students, 8 have already applied to Harpers limited enrollment health careers programs: –5 have applied to Nursing –2 have applied to Radiologic Technology –1 has applied to Sonography Admissions decisions are pending

Exit Interviews: Results Exit interviews are ongoing, have been conducted with 9 students They left the program due to their schedules, test-taking skills, and other events in their lives

Supervisor Assessment Current impact of the programs Expected future impact Should the programs continue

Supervisor Assessment: Results

Supervisors believe that employees are getting a lot out of the program Supervisors noted the importance of retaining employees after they finish the program –retention of skilled employees is always an issue –they believe that retention is more likely under this structure than traditional classes

Summary Students are engaged in the program: 84 to 98% were satisfied or very satisfied with each rated aspect. The program fits their schedule, prepares them for a career, and is interesting Students are successful in the program: overall nearly 50% are getting As in their classes; 94.5% are passing their classes Few students are exiting the program; those that do indicate a desire to return when circumstances allow Supervisors are already seeing some positive results in employee morale, motivation, knowledge, and skills, and expect to see more positive impact in the future

Lessons Learned

Successes and Challenges Successes Student satisfaction Partner collaboration Employee morale College resources and staffing Increased numbers of licensed nurses Increased numbers prepared to enter other allied health care programs

Successes and Challenges Challenges Short turn around for funding request Impact on other college departments Timeliness of tuition reimbursement Weekend schedule Access to ancillary services on the weekend Student/faculty connection to the college

Successes and Challenges Challenges Securing staff schedule salary Acceptance of change and recognition that things can be done differently Ongoing funding support

Next steps Remaining timetable for pilot project - Nursing Friday/weekend cohort (n=20) –March/April 2006 – anticipated LPNs –December 2006 – anticipated RNs

Next steps Remaining timetable for pilot project – Health Science Core 2 new cohort groups started in January at NWH and SAMC with another 40 participants. Course involved are: –Computer Usage in Healthcare –Introduction to the Health Car e Field –Medical Terminology Added partner in Good Shepard Hospital with new cohort in Health Science Core

Next steps (cont.) Sustain and initiate new partnerships Continue dual admission into Nursing Program Increase enrollment in Nursing Program Continue on-site offerings of health science core courses

Contact Information Harper College Web site Peg Gallagher, Director of Grants & Strategic Joe Baumann, Manager Academic Research Elizabeth Pagenkopf, Chair Health Science Core

QUESTIONS?? Thank you