PressRelease
From: Pamela Ruona, MHR, Director of Policy and Programs
Oregon Health Care Association
Phone: 503-726-5235 Fax: 503-726-5259
Email:
Sharon K. Brothers, MSW, Pres & CEO
aQuire Training Solutions
503-650-8115 or toll free: 877-843-8374
Email:
Date: October 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oregon Health Care Association and aQuire Training Solutions Hit New Mark in Enrolled Students
Portland, OR. This week the only online Nursing Assistant training program in the state of Oregon hit the 50 student mark. While far short of the goal of graduating 100 students each month, it is a significant measure of the growth of this program, launched only a few months ago.
The Oregon Health Care Association (OHCA) in partnership with aQuire Training Solutions launched the first-ever online nursing assistant training program in Oregon in July of this year. The online training program received approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing earlier in the year. This learner-lead training program provides 51 equivalent hours of didactic training online, 24 hours of lab and 75 hours of clinical training at one of more than 40 long term care facilities around the state.
“I started out in the health care field as a CNA, and am well aware of the ramifications of what is means to work short staffed,” says Patrick Patterson, RN, Program Director for Prestige Care, Inc.’s Nursing Assistant Program. Prestige Care, one of the largest nursing home operators in Oregon, has been a leader in participating in this new online program. “Working short staffed means that our residents lose out on quality time, and our staff experience higher burnout and more turnover.”
Patterson says he was initially uncertain about replacing classroom time with online learning. “I admit I was skeptical at first. I had to step out of the box to take a good hard look at this approach.”
Just a few months into the program, however, Patterson is a believer. “Once I saw the vision of what this can do for us I put my whole heart and soul into making it a success,” he says. “We can do more classes with this program, as well as providing clinical training in facilities where we have no classroom space.” In the end, more CNAs will be trained and ready to fill the critical positions in nursing facilities and other care settings.
“I’m proud to be a part of this cutting-edge program,” says Patterson. “In this technological age, I truly believe that this is the way of the future.”
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the back bone of long-term care. The aging of the baby boom generation, increased life expectancy and increased staffing ratios in long term care, coupled with a decline in the number of nursing assistants being trained by traditional means, makes this online training program both timely and essential to meet the growing demand for CNAs. Jim Carlson, Executive Director of the OHCA, says, “Our online training program provides high quality, cost effective, flexible and standardized training that will enhance care in our facilities throughout the state.”
“This course’s curriculum really showcases some of the very best practice in e-learning for adults,” says Sharon Brothers, President and CEO of aQuire Training Solutions. “It not only allows the nursing assistant student to learn at an individualized pace, without having to attend classroom lectures, but it is also designed to train the whole person. Students are actively involved in learning new skills and gaining knowledge about aging and care, as they increase their understanding of the importance of their work.”
Brothers adds, “We believe that the collaborative effort of this course will help us train new nursing assistants to deliver the kind of exceptional care that we all want for our loved ones.”
Those interested in applying or learning more about the program should go to the online application site, www.OregonCNAonline.com.
Oregon Health Care Association (OHCA) is one of the state's leading trade associations, representing over 570 members including skilled nursing, assisted living, and residential care facilities, integrated health systems, independent senior living communities and licensed in-home care agencies. Members provide services to over 40,000 people each day and employ more than 30,000 Oregonians. Learn more at www.ohca.com.
aQuire Training Solutions is a developer and provider of online training courses for senior care professionals with over five years of experience in providing online training. Learn more at www.aQuireTraining.com