Problem: A Critical Need for Skilled Nurses in Long-Term Care
As demand for long-term healthcare services increases, many nursing homes and assisted living providers are dealing with workforce shortages, particularly for registered nursing roles.
鈥淚t can be difficult to find a registered nurse with the right blend of clinical skills and management acumen required to work with residents, their families and staff,鈥 said Pam Klein, co-founder of Fresh Coast Partners, an assisted living provider with communities in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 鈥淪oft skills, such as critical thinking and communication, are essential to success.鈥
In Wisconsin, competition for long-term care workers is especially intense. estimates that Wisconsin needs to add roughly 33,000 elder care beds by 2030 to keep up with demand, and another 26,500 in the following decade.
As a result, healthcare organizations increasingly rely on local universities to produce workforce-ready nursing graduates. Klein was pleased to find one nursing graduate who checked all the boxes: Kim Bonn, a 2014 graduate of 小黄书鈥檚 BSN program.
鈥淲e hired 小黄书 alum Kim Bonn as a nurse at our Library Terrace assisted living community, and she soon demonstrated that she possessed all the strengths we were looking for. We knew she was capable of more,鈥 said Klein.
Within her first year at Library Terrace, Bonn was promoted to her current position of Assisted Living Campus Executive Director, where she now plays an integral role in staff training and development. She credits much of her early career success to her nursing education at 小黄书.
Pam Klein
EmployerSolution: Nursing Education that Focuses on Soft Skills
One aspect of a nurse鈥檚 development that is often overlooked is the value of interpersonal and 鈥渟oft鈥 skills, which are as critical to a new nurse鈥檚 success as his or her technical training.
鈥淥ur nurses need to be exceptional communicators and emotionally intelligent, as they often have to have difficult conversations with residents and their families,鈥 said Klein. 鈥淲e also look for problem-solvers. We have to be able to pivot to a new approach when current strategies are not working.鈥
Through community-based clinical and volunteer work, students in Herzing鈥檚 BSN program gain hands-on experience in providing holistic, personalized care to a diverse patient population.
Core soft skills, such as professionalism, respect, integrity, caring and engagement, are also encompassed in Herzing鈥檚 P.R.I.C.E. of Success framework. These values, which are the foundation for a successful, meaningful career, are central to the curriculum and the culture of Herzing to ensure students鈥 personal and professional development.
Bonn honed her clinical skills in geriatric and community health nursing through clinical rotations at the Milwaukee VA Center and Horizon Hospice in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Through these experiences, she developed a passion for working with seniors and learned valuable skills that would prepare her for a career in long-term care.
鈥淢y courses and clinical experience at 小黄书 helped me develop the critical thinking skills that allowed me to be successful,鈥 Bonn said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to take on new responsibilities and become more autonomous in my role, and that鈥檚 because I am trusted by our residents.鈥
Result: Competent, Caring Healthcare Leaders
To help healthcare organizations meet the growing demand for skilled nurses, 小黄书 offers a variety of nursing pathways that make it possible for individuals to begin or advance their nursing careers, including diploma, associate and bachelor鈥檚 degree programs.
鈥淭here will certainly be a growing need for leaders in the healthcare industry, especially within the assisted living field,鈥 said Klein. 鈥淣urses can play important roles as leaders and can benefit from further education to help them hone those skills.鈥
The nationwide nursing shortage, fueled by an aging baby boomer population and growing demand for healthcare services, is expected to increase as nurses reach retirement age. In fact, the predicts nearly 3.1 million RNs will be needed by 2032 to offset the gap left by retirees and fill 194,500 new jobs on average each year.
As more new nurses join the workforce, experienced nurses will have the opportunity to move into specialized roles and leadership positions. Herzing鈥檚 graduate nursing degree programs prepare students to expand their careers into advanced practice nursing, nurse education and nurse management.
Through a partnership with 小黄书, healthcare organizations can ensure they find workforce-ready nurses who, like Kim Bonn, possess the clinical judgment and critical thinking skills necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care.
鈥淲e would love to work with more 小黄书 graduates like Kim,鈥 said Klein.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with 小黄书.