This is the second blog in a multiple-blog series in response to recent publications about the state of education of nurse practitioners in the United States.
Healthcare’s staffing crisis has led to a surge in training, particularly remote training, for numerous roles. The demand for nurse practitioners is particularly acute, and there’s also an ongoing need for physician associates, advanced practice providers, and all types of therapists.
It’s good to have options out there for those seeking to get into the medical profession and are unsure where to start. Choice is also helpful for employers looking for high-quality initial/onboarding training, as well as continuing education. Why? Because not all practices and facilities are the same—far from it!
With choice, however, comes the need to evaluate the training landscape. Just like the healthcare field itself, they are not all the same. Finding the right fit is essential. Choosing the wrong partner can mean a sub-par training experience and a new hire with learning gaps, or an employee who’s not as well-rounded as their peers even after taking the time to complete coursework. In short, quality matters.
What Is Continuing Education in Healthcare?
Continuing education in healthcare involves ongoing training and professional development for healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge. This includes workshops, seminars, courses, and programs designed to keep them updated on the latest advancements and best practices in the field. For employers, promoting continuous learning is the key to maintaining a talented and adaptable workforce that can deliver high-quality care.
Why Is Continuing Education Important in Healthcare?
Continuing education in healthcare offers several benefits for both professionals and employers.
Better Patient Care:
Ongoing training equips healthcare workers with the latest knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide better care and improve patient outcomes.
Regulatory Compliance:
Many healthcare professions require continuing education to maintain licenses and certifications and ensure that professionals meet industry standards.
Adaptability to Change:
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies and treatments. Continuing education helps staff stay current and makes them more adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
Increased Employee Satisfaction:
Supporting continuous learning fosters a culture of growth and development, which in turn improves morale and job satisfaction. Employees who feel valued and invested in are more likely to remain loyal to their organization.
Stronger Workforce:
A commitment to continuing education leads to a more skilled and knowledgeable workforce, ultimately improving the organization’s reputation and ability to deliver quality care.
3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Healthcare Continuing Education Partner
1. Lifelong healthcare career learning and upskilling
Healthcare thrives because of the commitment shown by those providing care. No matter what you’re offering, you want an education partner who shares that drive to excellence—and also can provide a “lifelong learning” pathway for continued education and upskilling.
Look for an education partner who empowers clinicians by working with them at every stage of their careers. That includes providing pathways to new knowledge and skill sets when someone decides they wish to pursue a different position or specialty. A “one size fits all” approach won’t do here; adaptability and flexibility are key.
2. Flexible healthcare continuing education programs
The right education partner also should be ready for any possibility when it comes to providing coursework, lectures, and follow-up materials. That means having the right amount (and mix) of online and in-person training, as well as full flexibility when it comes to programming availability.
Healthcare is a 24/7 business. Learners need to be able to take a class during the day, the evening, and even in the small hours of the night in order to accommodate their busy, and highly individual, schedules. They also need to rest assured that the education they’re getting, and that many providers are paying for, is current and properly vetted.
3. Expert healthcare trainers and teaching materials
Equally essential is an educated instructor corps. That can mean everything from advanced-degree professionals in classroom settings to experienced, hands-on providers in granular, “how-to” settings. Healthcare education must not only be adaptable and flexible, it also must be enriching. The only way that is accomplished is through teachers, and teaching materials, that cover all the bases and eventualities.
The healthcare continuum is just that: a broad, wide landscape with opportunities for all kinds of individuals. A proper start, and a path to advancement, both include learning. Connecting with a turnkey provider of education helps individuals find their footing, and helps practices and providers ensure their staff is up to speed on the latest advancements in patient care.
ThriveAP: The Top Healthcare Continuing Education Partner for Your Organization
As a healthcare organization, choosing the right education partner is a big decision. It’s about confidence in that educator’s ability to offer coursework that prepares learners to tackle the many challenges they’ll be met with every day. And that’s what ThriveAP can offer you and your providers.
To learn more about ThriveAP’s high-quality live and online education programs offered to healthcare organizations for nurse practitioners and PAs, check out our curriculum or get in touch with us today!
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