ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nursing is facing critical shortages across many settings and specialties. The nursing workforce is aging, and of the nearly two million registered nurses employed in hospitals, approximately 22% are 55 or older. It is predicted that there will be 67,000 nurse manager vacancies by 2020. Additionally, nursing programs are experiencing significant workforce shortages, with a faculty vacancy rate of 7.2%, which is anticipated to increase further with retirements.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based study was to develop an innovative program to provide stackable credentials across the continuum of continuing education to academic credit to meet faculty and community partners’ learning, and professional development needs to ensure critical workforce needs are met. Microcredentials programs provide alternative learning pathways that provide flexibility and stackable credentials across a continuum.

Methods: Program implementation steps included 1) developing and administering an annual needs assessment,2) applying for and achieving accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a provider of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD), 3) developing the Learning Management System infrastructure to offer NCPD courses internally and externally, and 4) developing microcredential programs based on the strategic priorities identified. 

Results: The university developed several multi-level programs, including comprehensive teaching excellence, simulation, cultural inclusivity, and executive nurse programs to meet critical workforce needs across academic and practice settings. Since the inception of the teaching excellence program, there have been over 1,145 faculty who have completed the program.

The objective of this presentation is to share the benefits of flexible learning pathways for nurses.