High Plains Technology Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

The nursing workforce shortage is an increasing concern for High Plains Technology Center and the nation. Our 6-9th grade TAP program highlights work-related skills directly tied to the health career world. The students then enroll in the health careers class with a core curriculum directed for the advanced standing courses for admission into the PN program. Establishing a PN select program that provides a pathway for students to be pre-accepted into the PN program after high school graduation when accomplishing set criteria. This will increase PN enrollment and graduation numbers. Another area of concern is the nursing faculty shortage and availability of qualified advanced degree-prepared nurses. The action plan for applying funding to help create faculty retention through tuition reimbursement. This incentive would allow faculty to acquire their advanced degree and increase their academic knowledge to expand their teaching strategies. Also, with advanced degrees, the program could seek further accreditation entities. The advanced accreditation status increases higher education institutions' potential to accept licensed practical nursing school hours to advanced standing credit more readily. In addition, we?d like to add clinical simulation resources to expand opportunities for students when clinical sites are not available.

EVIDENCE

The American Association of Colleges in Nursing reported in 2020 several reasons for faculty shortage such as faculty age, faculty retirements, higher clinical and private sector pay. The faculty vacancy rate is 6.9%, faculty retirement at 37.7%, and faculty resignation at 32.8%. The AACN encourages all nurses to strive for higher levels of education. Faculty with advanced degrees increase teaching effectiveness, create new approaches to teaching, implement best practices, and have increased NCLEX pass-rates. Insufficient clinical sites are being experienced nationally. AACN encourages innovative practices, including simulation, to create high-level clinical scenarios in a safe learning environment.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The pandemic exacerbated the healthcare shortage and has led to unprecedented burnout of nurses. Nationwide, between 20% and 30% of frontline US healthcare workers say they are considering leaving the profession. The pandemic was particularly difficult for the elderly, vulnerable, and unprivileged. Northwest Oklahoma area's licensed practical nurses are in high demand in the rural setting and work to serve these populations. They are employed in long-term care, clinics, medical-surgical, mental health, specialty departments, and nurse leaders. The addition of increased licensed practical nurses will help alleviate the nursing shortage.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Both the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing collect data yearly on Licensed Practical Nursing programs. This data includes the number of students who meet entrance requirements, enrollment, completion, and the number of students taking the (NCLEX-PN). ODCTE?s follow-up data on employment one-year post-graduation, workplace, and salary. The OBN data allows the public to easily see a trend of more students, more graduates, and more credentialed nurses. As the ultimate determinate of success will be measured by qualified completers finding and keeping employment, the data is present with no additional resources necessary.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma