Report from the Ground on CNA Training Online

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, CNA Program Director for Prestige Care, Inc.
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 offer 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 learning more about the program can visit the
online application website, www.OregonCNAonline.com or contact
Brothers at Sharon@aQuireTraining.com.