Developing the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals

 

In this Learning Session, Brandon Melton and Mary Anne Kelly shared the importance of developing our future workforce through sharing case studies and programs they both were instrumental in developing. 

There’s an immediate need to invest in our future workforce as 40 percent of health care is spent on those over the age of 65, and America is undergoing a fundamental shift with emerging majorities. By 2042, we’ll have a majority-minority in both our future workforce and customers. 

Before sharing specifics on programs, Melton stated that a business case must be made before embarking on any imitative such as this, and that any and all investments in programs must be backed with facts and figures to support your case. 

A labor forecast revealed the implications for not investing in workforce needs. "We figured out how much we would spend if we happened to not do anything," Melton said. "Then we looked into increasing our RNs and investment efforts, and we found we could save $5.5 million a year with an intentional workforce development plan."

Consider the following when creating a business case for workforce development needs: 

• Aim to increase patient safety, patient quality, patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction and cultural competency.
• And decrease contract labor, overtime usage, leaves of absence, health claims, and stress and burnout. 

The following case studies and progressive programs were shared during their presentation. 

A training program developed for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) with considerations for overcoming common obstacles (transportation, childcare, etc.) in their demographic. 

A Chicago program deeply rooted in the Latino community created to develop immigrants and their families with education and training that fosters full participation in the U.S. society. 

A summer employment opportunity for young individuals (in high school) who have their CNA license.