There has been lots of talk over the last few years about the severe shortage of caregivers for the long-term care industry, which is why it should come as no surprise when you hear that the shortage will reach 3.8 million by 2030. You know that recruiting, training, and retaining quality staff is a challenge, especially nurse assistants!
One of the biggest challenges facing the long-term care industry is the shortage of qualified nurse assistants. Not much emphasis has been given to this demanding, but rewarding profession, which has caused a severe lack of qualified candidates, and worse yet, a lack of training avenues.
Nurse Assistants will become one of the most needed positions in senior care, becoming a critical component of the integrated care needed. And, with limited RNs and LPNs in the future, it will become even more difficult to seek qualified nurse assistants – who will train them?
The future of nurse assistants starts today! Facilities need to step outside the box and look at technology as a way to train and recruit this staff. Currently, candidates interested in becoming a nurse assistant are at a disadvantage. The time constraints of the training, the cost of the training, and more, drive many qualified and capable candidates to other industries.
Recently, a new opportunity has arisen to attack this shortage head on, and work towards fulfilling a need in the long-term care industry. The traditional training programs are gone, and replaced with a more technological approach. While the nursing assistant candidates can learn at their own pace, and continue working to help pay for their education, this approach gives the flexibility needed to attract millennials.
Millennials are extremely comfortable with technology, so it makes sense to tap into that comfort zone to attract more candidates. They can complete their training online, and when ready, will do their hands-on training at local facilities.
Many senior care facilities are embracing this approach, and becoming partners with this type of training. Not only are they becoming the facility for the hands-on clinical training, but it opens a pool of candidates to choose from immediately after training. The future of nurse assistants in the long-term care industry will rely on your participation – how will you participate?
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