Distance Learning Nursing Refresher:Helping Nurses Reconnect

with Healthcare!

Distance Learning Nursing Refresher:Helping Nurses Reconnect

with Healthcare!

20052005RegionalRegionalWorkshopsWorkshops

20052005RegionalRegionalWorkshopsWorkshops

Presentation Objectives

The need for nursing refresher The need for nursing refresher coursescourses

Refresher student profileRefresher student profile Components of a refresher courseComponents of a refresher course Our Project’s purpose/goals Our Project’s purpose/goals Current progress of the Project Current progress of the Project Our Project deliverablesOur Project deliverables

The Problem (as of spring 2003) Nursing shortage is at a critical levelNursing shortage is at a critical level 65% of all hospital vacancies (AHA)65% of all hospital vacancies (AHA) By 2008, another 450,000 nurses may be needed in By 2008, another 450,000 nurses may be needed in

our country (CNN).our country (CNN). Texas - Projected need for 167,580 RNs (26.7% Texas - Projected need for 167,580 RNs (26.7%

increase in a decade) and 70,210 LVNs (increase increase in a decade) and 70,210 LVNs (increase of 17.8%) by 2010 (TRC).of 17.8%) by 2010 (TRC).

Austin - Estimated 12.6% vacancy rate for RNs and Austin - Estimated 12.6% vacancy rate for RNs and a 9.4% vacancy rate for LVNs in Central Texas; a 9.4% vacancy rate for LVNs in Central Texas; Austin needs 400 RNs (1/2003, HISC)Austin needs 400 RNs (1/2003, HISC)

Where Have They Gone? Many are Many are retiringretiring (average working nurse is 45 years old, (average working nurse is 45 years old,

ANCC)ANCC) Fewer enteringFewer entering nursing (31% decline in those taking the nursing (31% decline in those taking the

NCLEX-RN from 1995-2002, AACN)NCLEX-RN from 1995-2002, AACN) Work conditionsWork conditions have worsened have worsened Some left to Some left to raise familiesraise families Some left looking for “Some left looking for “greener pasturesgreener pastures”” Inadequate capacity in nursing programsInadequate capacity in nursing programs (U.S. nursing (U.S. nursing

schools turned away 18,105 qualified applicants in 2003, schools turned away 18,105 qualified applicants in 2003, AACN) AACN)

Nursing Nursing faculty shortagefaculty shortage (median age of nurse faculty is 51.2 (median age of nurse faculty is 51.2 years)years)

Many are Many are retiringretiring (average working nurse is 45 years old, (average working nurse is 45 years old, ANCC)ANCC)

Fewer enteringFewer entering nursing (31% decline in those taking the nursing (31% decline in those taking the NCLEX-RN from 1995-2002, AACN)NCLEX-RN from 1995-2002, AACN)

Work conditionsWork conditions have worsened have worsened Some left to Some left to raise familiesraise families Some left looking for “Some left looking for “greener pasturesgreener pastures”” Inadequate capacity in nursing programsInadequate capacity in nursing programs (U.S. nursing (U.S. nursing

schools turned away 18,105 qualified applicants in 2003, schools turned away 18,105 qualified applicants in 2003, AACN) AACN)

Nursing Nursing faculty shortagefaculty shortage (median age of nurse faculty is 51.2 (median age of nurse faculty is 51.2 years)years)

One Solution

Re-entry nurses offer a quick way to Re-entry nurses offer a quick way to get skilled nurses back in the clinical get skilled nurses back in the clinical settingsetting

TX Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) TX Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) – recommends that any nurse out of – recommends that any nurse out of “professional nursing practice” for “professional nursing practice” for more than 4 years, take a “refresher” more than 4 years, take a “refresher” coursecourse

Re-entry nurses offer a quick way to Re-entry nurses offer a quick way to get skilled nurses back in the clinical get skilled nurses back in the clinical settingsetting

TX Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) TX Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) – recommends that any nurse out of – recommends that any nurse out of “professional nursing practice” for “professional nursing practice” for more than 4 years, take a “refresher” more than 4 years, take a “refresher” coursecourse

Re-Entry Student Profile

Reinstate licensure (will need temporary Reinstate licensure (will need temporary permit)permit)

Out of practice for more than 4 years, but Out of practice for more than 4 years, but has current license (referred by employer)has current license (referred by employer)

Required to obtain TX license (foreign or Required to obtain TX license (foreign or out-of-state)out-of-state)

Professional development (change of Professional development (change of practice area)practice area)

Reinstate licensure (will need temporary Reinstate licensure (will need temporary permit)permit)

Out of practice for more than 4 years, but Out of practice for more than 4 years, but has current license (referred by employer)has current license (referred by employer)

Required to obtain TX license (foreign or Required to obtain TX license (foreign or out-of-state)out-of-state)

Professional development (change of Professional development (change of practice area)practice area)

Barriers to Re-Entry Nurses

Where available, courses are often fullWhere available, courses are often full Courses are not always available Courses are not always available Time – many have to continue workingTime – many have to continue working Funding – can be an issueFunding – can be an issue Technology – need to catch up on current Technology – need to catch up on current

technology in practicetechnology in practice Fear – believe that they can’t catch up Fear – believe that they can’t catch up Hospitals – some are hesitant to accept a re-Hospitals – some are hesitant to accept a re-

entry nurse for a clinical placemententry nurse for a clinical placement

Where available, courses are often fullWhere available, courses are often full Courses are not always available Courses are not always available Time – many have to continue workingTime – many have to continue working Funding – can be an issueFunding – can be an issue Technology – need to catch up on current Technology – need to catch up on current

technology in practicetechnology in practice Fear – believe that they can’t catch up Fear – believe that they can’t catch up Hospitals – some are hesitant to accept a re-Hospitals – some are hesitant to accept a re-

entry nurse for a clinical placemententry nurse for a clinical placement

Project Partners FundingFunding - two one-year Perkins grants - two one-year Perkins grants

from THECB (total $160,000)from THECB (total $160,000) Development GroupDevelopment Group - Austin - Austin

Comm. College, Collin County Comm. College, Collin County Comm. College District, El Paso Comm. Comm. College District, El Paso Comm. College, Midland College, College, Midland College, North Harris College, North Harris College, Texas Hospital Association, and Texas Hospital Association, and STARLINKSTARLINK

FundingFunding - two one-year Perkins grants - two one-year Perkins grants from THECB (total $160,000)from THECB (total $160,000)

Development GroupDevelopment Group - Austin - Austin Comm. College, Collin County Comm. College, Collin County Comm. College District, El Paso Comm. Comm. College District, El Paso Comm. College, Midland College, College, Midland College, North Harris College, North Harris College, Texas Hospital Association, and Texas Hospital Association, and STARLINKSTARLINK

Project Partners (continued)

Advisory GroupAdvisory Group – Angelina College, – Angelina College, Houston Comm. College, Lee College, Houston Comm. College, Lee College, McLennan Comm. College, St. Philip’s McLennan Comm. College, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio College, Tarrant College, San Antonio College, Tarrant County College – South, and University County College – South, and University Health System – San AntonioHealth System – San Antonio

Guidance -Guidance - Texas State Leadership Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development Consortium for Curriculum Development

Advisory GroupAdvisory Group – Angelina College, – Angelina College, Houston Comm. College, Lee College, Houston Comm. College, Lee College, McLennan Comm. College, St. Philip’s McLennan Comm. College, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio College, Tarrant College, San Antonio College, Tarrant County College – South, and University County College – South, and University Health System – San AntonioHealth System – San Antonio

Guidance -Guidance - Texas State Leadership Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development Consortium for Curriculum Development

Project Web Site

Includes: All project development information Portal to BlackBoard Student information & forms Preceptor information & forms College information & forms

Includes: All project development information Portal to BlackBoard Student information & forms Preceptor information & forms College information & forms

http://nurserefresher.austincc.eduhttp://nurserefresher.austincc.edu

Demo of Project Web Site

http://nurserefresher.austincc.eduhttp://nurserefresher.austincc.edu

A Typical Refresher Course

Didactic112 hours

Review of basic med/surg nursing knowledge & skills

Preceptorship72 hours

RN supervised patient care experience

Lab16

hours

Skills

Project Goals (Year 1 – 2003-2004)

Provide a distance learning nursing refresher, Provide a distance learning nursing refresher, delivered through the Virtual College of TX.delivered through the Virtual College of TX.

Develop a quality course that addresses the Develop a quality course that addresses the education needs of both the RN and LVN.education needs of both the RN and LVN.

Develop flexible, effective and appropriate Develop flexible, effective and appropriate distance learning deliverables to make the nursing distance learning deliverables to make the nursing refresher course easily accessible.refresher course easily accessible.

Promote the use of the distance learning nursing Promote the use of the distance learning nursing refresher course through community colleges refresher course through community colleges around the state of Texas.around the state of Texas.

Provide a distance learning nursing refresher, Provide a distance learning nursing refresher, delivered through the Virtual College of TX.delivered through the Virtual College of TX.

Develop a quality course that addresses the Develop a quality course that addresses the education needs of both the RN and LVN.education needs of both the RN and LVN.

Develop flexible, effective and appropriate Develop flexible, effective and appropriate distance learning deliverables to make the nursing distance learning deliverables to make the nursing refresher course easily accessible.refresher course easily accessible.

Promote the use of the distance learning nursing Promote the use of the distance learning nursing refresher course through community colleges refresher course through community colleges around the state of Texas.around the state of Texas.

Project Goals (Year 2 – 2004-2005)

Enhancement of current teaching unitsEnhancement of current teaching units Support for host/provider colleges (through regional Support for host/provider colleges (through regional

information workshops) information workshops) Add medical Spanish unit and a student Add medical Spanish unit and a student

counseling/support modulecounseling/support module Promotional activities including a second STARLINK Promotional activities including a second STARLINK

broadcastbroadcast Maintenance of project web siteMaintenance of project web site Packaging and marketing of stand-alone modules for Packaging and marketing of stand-alone modules for

remediation and CNE useremediation and CNE use Research project to identify motivating factors in re-Research project to identify motivating factors in re-

entry nursesentry nurses

Enhancement of current teaching unitsEnhancement of current teaching units Support for host/provider colleges (through regional Support for host/provider colleges (through regional

information workshops) information workshops) Add medical Spanish unit and a student Add medical Spanish unit and a student

counseling/support modulecounseling/support module Promotional activities including a second STARLINK Promotional activities including a second STARLINK

broadcastbroadcast Maintenance of project web siteMaintenance of project web site Packaging and marketing of stand-alone modules for Packaging and marketing of stand-alone modules for

remediation and CNE useremediation and CNE use Research project to identify motivating factors in re-Research project to identify motivating factors in re-

entry nursesentry nurses

Features of the Program Colleges can choose to either “host” students through VCT Colleges can choose to either “host” students through VCT

or “provide” the complete courseor “provide” the complete course All didactic self-paced content available online - text, All didactic self-paced content available online - text,

graphics, streaming video, exercises, testing, and support graphics, streaming video, exercises, testing, and support from Instructorfrom Instructor

CD-ROM version of videos for those without high speed CD-ROM version of videos for those without high speed internet accessinternet access

Host college will coordinate optional “skills lab” and Host college will coordinate optional “skills lab” and required “preceptorship”required “preceptorship”

Technical support available for collegesTechnical support available for colleges Self-sustaining after grant periodSelf-sustaining after grant period

Colleges can choose to either “host” students through VCT Colleges can choose to either “host” students through VCT or “provide” the complete courseor “provide” the complete course

All didactic self-paced content available online - text, All didactic self-paced content available online - text, graphics, streaming video, exercises, testing, and support graphics, streaming video, exercises, testing, and support from Instructorfrom Instructor

CD-ROM version of videos for those without high speed CD-ROM version of videos for those without high speed internet accessinternet access

Host college will coordinate optional “skills lab” and Host college will coordinate optional “skills lab” and required “preceptorship”required “preceptorship”

Technical support available for collegesTechnical support available for colleges Self-sustaining after grant periodSelf-sustaining after grant period

Program Design & Development

Surveyed all existing community college Surveyed all existing community college based refresher programsbased refresher programs

Followed BNE and BVNE (now one Followed BNE and BVNE (now one entity) expectations for refresher contententity) expectations for refresher content

Examined experience with ACC’s Examined experience with ACC’s classroom based courseclassroom based course

Involved Development and Advisory Involved Development and Advisory Group members in peer review of contentGroup members in peer review of content

Surveyed all existing community college Surveyed all existing community college based refresher programsbased refresher programs

Followed BNE and BVNE (now one Followed BNE and BVNE (now one entity) expectations for refresher contententity) expectations for refresher content

Examined experience with ACC’s Examined experience with ACC’s classroom based courseclassroom based course

Involved Development and Advisory Involved Development and Advisory Group members in peer review of contentGroup members in peer review of content

Program Content Orientation (specific to provider)Orientation (specific to provider) Unit 1- Professional Nursing Practice Unit 1- Professional Nursing Practice Unit 2- Pharmacology Review Unit 2- Pharmacology Review Unit 3- Systems Review and Nursing Care of Unit 3- Systems Review and Nursing Care of

Common DisordersCommon Disorders Unit 4- Care of the ClientUnit 4- Care of the Client Unit 5- IV Therapy Unit 5- IV Therapy Unit 6- Communication & DocumentationUnit 6- Communication & Documentation Unit 7: Care of the Terminally IllUnit 7: Care of the Terminally Ill

Orientation (specific to provider)Orientation (specific to provider) Unit 1- Professional Nursing Practice Unit 1- Professional Nursing Practice Unit 2- Pharmacology Review Unit 2- Pharmacology Review Unit 3- Systems Review and Nursing Care of Unit 3- Systems Review and Nursing Care of

Common DisordersCommon Disorders Unit 4- Care of the ClientUnit 4- Care of the Client Unit 5- IV Therapy Unit 5- IV Therapy Unit 6- Communication & DocumentationUnit 6- Communication & Documentation Unit 7: Care of the Terminally IllUnit 7: Care of the Terminally Ill

Demo of BlackBoard Course

http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/

Depending on the course delivery system Depending on the course delivery system used (i.e. Web CT), the course layout used (i.e. Web CT), the course layout may appear different from this demo.may appear different from this demo.

Virtual College of Texas (VCT)

Provider

Host

VCT

- “owns” course- teaches course- documents student’s completion

- “owns” course- teaches course- documents student’s completion

- makes reservation- registers student- provides certificate & transcripts- pays provider

- makes reservation- registers student- provides certificate & transcripts- pays provider

- is a “utility” of TX colleges- online catalog/schedule- student tracking

- is a “utility” of TX colleges- online catalog/schedule- student tracking

Host/Provider Model (VCT)

Didactic PreceptorshipLab

As a Host(with ACC providing)

As a Provider(without ACC)

Demo of VCT Web Site

www.vct.orgwww.vct.org

Host Colleges DutiesHost Colleges Duties

MarketMarket program to your student population program to your student population RegisterRegister and and transcripttranscript your students your students Identify healthcare facility sites for preceptorship placementsIdentify healthcare facility sites for preceptorship placements Develop Develop affiliated agreementsaffiliated agreements with chosen healthcare with chosen healthcare

facilitiesfacilities Identify potential preceptors (if asked by facility to assist)Identify potential preceptors (if asked by facility to assist) Offer Offer preceptor orientationpreceptor orientation and training and training Provide Coordinator/Instructor position to manage Provide Coordinator/Instructor position to manage

preceptorshippreceptorship Provide the optionalProvide the optional skills lab skills lab (facilities & supplies)(facilities & supplies) Provide desk copies of the required texts in your libraryProvide desk copies of the required texts in your library Utilize the Utilize the Project websiteProject website as your delivery manual as your delivery manual Provide Provide certificate of completioncertificate of completion for students for students Ensure that any Ensure that any BNE paperworkBNE paperwork is completed for the student is completed for the student

by an RNby an RN

MarketMarket program to your student population program to your student population RegisterRegister and and transcripttranscript your students your students Identify healthcare facility sites for preceptorship placementsIdentify healthcare facility sites for preceptorship placements Develop Develop affiliated agreementsaffiliated agreements with chosen healthcare with chosen healthcare

facilitiesfacilities Identify potential preceptors (if asked by facility to assist)Identify potential preceptors (if asked by facility to assist) Offer Offer preceptor orientationpreceptor orientation and training and training Provide Coordinator/Instructor position to manage Provide Coordinator/Instructor position to manage

preceptorshippreceptorship Provide the optionalProvide the optional skills lab skills lab (facilities & supplies)(facilities & supplies) Provide desk copies of the required texts in your libraryProvide desk copies of the required texts in your library Utilize the Utilize the Project websiteProject website as your delivery manual as your delivery manual Provide Provide certificate of completioncertificate of completion for students for students Ensure that any Ensure that any BNE paperworkBNE paperwork is completed for the student is completed for the student

by an RNby an RN

Provider Colleges Duties(includes all Host Duties plus the following)

Provider Colleges Duties(includes all Host Duties plus the following)

Manage the entire programManage the entire program Obtain and Obtain and “install” the online program“install” the online program at your college at your college Create an orientation unitCreate an orientation unit specific for your students specific for your students Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the online Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the online

didactic content didactic content (RN required, BSN preferred)(RN required, BSN preferred) Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the optional Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the optional

skills lab skills lab (RN required)(RN required) Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to coordinate clinical Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to coordinate clinical

preceptorshipspreceptorships Provide the optional Provide the optional skills labskills lab (facilities & supplies) (facilities & supplies) Tailor the delivery manualTailor the delivery manual specific to your college (student specific to your college (student

requirements, forms, checklists, clinical time logs, etc.)requirements, forms, checklists, clinical time logs, etc.) Maintain all records and documentation of student Maintain all records and documentation of student

completion. completion.

Manage the entire programManage the entire program Obtain and Obtain and “install” the online program“install” the online program at your college at your college Create an orientation unitCreate an orientation unit specific for your students specific for your students Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the online Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the online

didactic content didactic content (RN required, BSN preferred)(RN required, BSN preferred) Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the optional Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to teach the optional

skills lab skills lab (RN required)(RN required) Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to coordinate clinical Provide an Instructor/Coordinator to coordinate clinical

preceptorshipspreceptorships Provide the optional Provide the optional skills labskills lab (facilities & supplies) (facilities & supplies) Tailor the delivery manualTailor the delivery manual specific to your college (student specific to your college (student

requirements, forms, checklists, clinical time logs, etc.)requirements, forms, checklists, clinical time logs, etc.) Maintain all records and documentation of student Maintain all records and documentation of student

completion. completion.

Program Challenges Deciding to Host or Provide the ProgramDeciding to Host or Provide the Program Identifying Instructor/CoordinatorIdentifying Instructor/Coordinator Setting up optional skills labSetting up optional skills lab Establishing clinical placementsEstablishing clinical placements Training preceptorsTraining preceptors Establishing affiliation agreementsEstablishing affiliation agreements

We would like to thank …

Texas Higher Education Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board / Perkins Coordinating Board / Perkins FundingFunding

Texas State Leadership Consortium Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Developmentfor Curriculum Development

Project Development & Advisory Project Development & Advisory Group MembersGroup Members

Our 8 Pilot StudentsOur 8 Pilot Students

Texas Higher Education Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board / Perkins Coordinating Board / Perkins FundingFunding

Texas State Leadership Consortium Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Developmentfor Curriculum Development

Project Development & Advisory Project Development & Advisory Group MembersGroup Members

Our 8 Pilot StudentsOur 8 Pilot Students

Project ContactsProject Contacts

Kirk WhiteKirk White, RN, MSN, RN, MSNExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorACC Workforce Development CenterACC Workforce Development Center512-223-7535, 512-223-7535, kwhite@austincc.edukwhite@austincc.edu

Kirk WhiteKirk White, RN, MSN, RN, MSNExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorACC Workforce Development CenterACC Workforce Development Center512-223-7535, 512-223-7535, kwhite@austincc.edukwhite@austincc.edu