In California, a critical shortage of nurses looms large, with projections suggesting it will persist until 2026. The path to employment in the state's healthcare sector often begins with completing a California Department of Public Health-approved Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program, typically spanning 6 to 12 weeks. Southwestern College in Chula Vista faced the dual challenges of fierce competition for nursing students and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the pandemic, Southwestern relied on traditional methods, such as printed textbooks and DVDs, for their CNA program. However, the shift to remote learning highlighted the obsolescence of these resources. With a commitment to maintaining a diverse student body, Southwestern sought a swift transition to digital learning. The challenge lay not only in selecting a suitable platform but also in ensuring that both instructors and students, including some less tech-savvy faculty members, could seamlessly adapt.
Southwestern College opted for Lippincott® CoursePoint, specifically embracing Pamela J. Carter’s humanistic approach to caregiving. This digital learning platform emerged as a beacon, not only offering the necessary flexibility for remote learning but also aligning with the faculty's preference for a compassionate approach over a task-oriented one.
The solution presented by Lippincott CoursePoint addressed the need for inclusivity and comfort in digital learning for a diverse student and instructor base. Boasting a decade of successful use by over 1 million nursing students, the platform combines evidence-based content, proven adaptive learning technology, and flexibility to foster mastery and critical thinking. It became the vehicle through which Southwestern could maintain its high pass rates and navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Lippincott CoursePoint proved to be an intuitive and personalized platform, simplifying navigation for both students and instructors. Its features, including audio in mulitple language dialects, reduced barriers for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. The eBook facilitated studying with note-taking, highlighting, and a flashcard builder. Instructors could assign skills videos and quizzes prior to class and track strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing the potential learning curve for some, Lippincott CoursePoint offered a dedicated customer success team for personalized training and support.
The results were transformative. The Southwestern CNA program, powered by Lippincott CoursePoint, not only maintained its impressive nearly 100% pass rate on the CNA certification test but also kindled the aspirations of students to pursue higher levels of nursing education. In an informal survey, around 96% of respondents expressed a desire to enroll in nursing programs. Language barriers, particularly in medical terminology, were mitigated through the platform's features like a medical language dictionary with pronunciations and a read-aloud feature in multiple languages.
The hybrid learning model, combining online, on-demand content with in-person learning, offered a flexible approach that catered to varied learning preferences. Students found value in making notes in the eBook, contributing to improved study habits.
Southwestern College's success story demonstrates the efficacy of digital learning solutions, specifically Lippincott CoursePoint, in preparing nursing students for real-world practice. Beyond achieving stellar pass rates, the program succeeded in breaking down language barriers, fostering inclusivity and igniting a passion for nursing education among its students.
As Southwestern College continues to set the standard, other institutions exploring digital learning solutions are encouraged to evaluate the transformative potential of Lippincott CoursePoint in preparing nursing students for success in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.