At CareAcademy, our team members are passionate about making a difference in the lives of caregivers and […]
Agency operators want to attract the best talent, but competition for nurses is high. Many nurses have left the profession due to burnout, and retiring nurses are expected to account for 203,000 nursing job openings per year through 2031. Offering inservices for nurses — or in-service training — may be one way agencies can recruit and retain caregivers.
In this post, we’ll talk about the benefits of inservices for nurses, challenges for nurses and administrators, and how to implement and oversee in-service training.
Why Is In-service Training for Nurses Important?
Let’s look at some of the advantages of on-the-job training for nurses.
Fostering career growth
People interested in becoming professional caregivers might start their journey by earning a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification, which usually takes about a year. But becoming a registered nurse (RN) typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Agencies that offer in-service training could help LPNs earn college credit toward an RN degree.
Agencies can also offer training that helps RNs earn certifications for specialties like dementia care or end-of-life care. For both new and experienced nurses, free on-the-job training — and upward mobility — is an attractive benefit.
Ensuring safety
Training specific to safety gives caregivers confidence to respond to emergencies and other health threats and ensures the safety of clients. Some of the training agencies might offer as part of inservices for nurses includes:
- Infection control
- Addressing agitation and aggression in dementia
- Emergency planning and response
- COVID-19 protocols
- Fall prevention
Maintaining compliance
Compliance rules vary by state, but generally, nurses need continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. Employer-provided training means nurses don’t have to find, schedule, and pay for their own training.
Client and family satisfaction
Clients and their families may have a lot of options when it comes to long-term care, and demonstrating your commitment to caregiver training can establish trust in your agency and improve retention. Plus, caregivers can sharpen their “soft skills” that support harmonious interactions with caregivers and their families.
What Are the Challenges of Inservices for Nurses?
On-the-job training presents some challenges for both administrators and caregivers, such as:
Finding time
When working long shifts and rotating schedules, it can be difficult for nurses to find the time for training. In-person training can be inconvenient because of the travel time involved, so some agencies offer on-demand training that nurses can access remotely.
Language barriers
English-only training isn’t effective for an increasingly diverse workforce. Agencies may want to look for training curriculum available in Spanish and other languages.
Incorporating new requirements
Laws about caregiver training requirements may change, and busy agency admins don’t have time to track every bit of legislation that could affect their agencies. This is particularly challenging for agencies that have locations in more than one state, because training requirements may differ by state. That’s why it’s best to implement technology that tracks new requirements and adjusts training offerings accordingly.
Tracking progress
Without a platform for tracking training progress, it can be easy for nurses to forget about required CEU deadlines, and admins may not be aware when certifications have lapsed. A platform with automated training reminders helps everyone stay on top of their tasks and responsibilities.
A Better Way to Manage Inservices for Nurses
Even when agency operators recognize the value of inservices for nurses, creating a training plan and overseeing it can be a daunting task. CareAcademy simplifies this process with ANCC-approved video training content, a user-friendly mobile app, and a dashboard that lets admins assign training, set up reminders, and monitor progress.
Learn more about CareAcademy’s partnership with Wild Iris Medical Education, and when you’re ready, try CareAcademy for free!
FAQ
Does CareAcademy offer training for agency administrators?
Yes! We offer 80 hours of continuing education for home health, home care, long-term care, and hospice administrators.
Am I able to customize the CareAcademy curriculum for my team?
Yes! Our four main service tiers allow for curriculum customization.
Where can I learn about how CareAcademy’s customers have used the platform to achieve their objectives?
Our Success Stories page offers some real-world examples of CareAcademy’s ROI.
My team is already using a mobile healthcare app. Does CareAcademy integrate with our preferred tools?
CareAcademy integrates with WellSky, AxisCare, and other apps to provide a seamless experience for agencies. Access all of the tools and training you need via a single sign-on interface.