Kiamichi Technology Centers

PROJECT PURPOSE

The nurse shortage has been amplified due to the pandemic, causing a nursing turnover. Nurse-to-patient ratios have not decreased despite the increased acuity, labor-intensive process of donning and doffing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and maintaining evidenced-based practices of infection control to slow the transmission of the illness. Nurses have responded to the increased mandates and stress by taking early retirement, changing positions, and sometimes leaving the professional all together. Meanwhile, the number of patients needing care has increased, flooding our hospitals and clinics. The population who are 65+ continues to grow, increasing the need for LPNs in long-term care facilities. 21% of region population is 65+. This project addresses the nursing shortage in Kiamichi Technology Center?s district located in rural SE OK. Kiamichi Tech serves 13 counties with a total population of 276,793. In 2021, Kiamichi Tech PN program produced 87 certified nurses, however the number fell short to the workforce need of the region. The proposed project, if funded, will assist in the upstart of a new PN Flex program that will increase the number of board-certified nurses by 24 (19% increase) each year for the region. Thus, increasing LPNs providing care to the rural population of Southeastern Oklahoma.

EVIDENCE

There is evidence of the need for more nurses in Southeastern OK related to: (1) Impact of COVID-19 on the staffing needs of healthcare systems; (2) Early retirement from nursing; (3) Aging population in our region, state and nation; (4) Projected growth of employment in healthcare occupations of 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.6 million new jobs; (5) 2 out of 5 nurses planning to leave the profession over the next year; and (6) Employment change in Oklahoma of 11,500 new LPNs between 2016 and 2026.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The pandemic has disproportionately affected the elderly, minority, uninsured, and poverty-stricken populations of rural Southeastern Oklahoma. These populations were affected because they had limited access to health care and/or healthcare workers. As a whole, the elderly are vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 because they are immunocompromised. Many elderlies were homebound and not able to travel to health care facilities or they feared public settings where they might be exposed to COVID-19. They would have benefited from a visiting home care nurse. Others resided in nursing homes where staffing numbers were greatly affected because of the pandemic. Minority populations, specifically American Indian populations. the uninsured, and poverty-stricken often did not seek healthcare until their symptoms were serious and they had to go to the hospital for emergency care.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

In accordance with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing Rules, the Kiamichi Tech PN program has developed a Systematic Evaluation Program Plan. Within this plan program objectives and quality standards are identified with targeted performance indicators. The key indicators used to measure and monitor the success of the PN Flex program will include ? Enrollment; Completion Rates; Retention Rates; Credential earned (potential ? CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Health Care Provider/ CNA/ AUA / LPN); Related placement of graduates (nursing or continuing education); Average hourly wage; Satisfaction of the program by Student / Graduate / Employer / Business and Education Committee.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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