Health Care Learning Network Project

"An innovative new model of learning"

The health care industry faces a critical shortage of licensed professionals to care for the frail elderly and short-term rehabilitation patients that reside within our national, state, and local long-term care facilities. The average licensed nurse is now 53 years old. Looking at the numbers for nurses in Massachusetts alone, by 2010, the projected gap between the supply of registered nurses (65,800) and the demand (75,000) will be 9,000. By 2020, that gap will almost triple to over 25,000. At the same time, there are entry-level employees that have shown their dedication to quality patient care who would like to move up the ranks to fill these positions. The obstacle to their movement up the professional ladder is their lack of adequate preparation for demanding health care career programs.

One of the main advantages of the digital age is the ability to create learning experiences that engage and motivate learners. As part of a broad collaboration of workforce and employer partners¹ referred to as the Health Care Learning Network™(HCLN™), JSI sister organization, World Education is designing online courses to prepare front-line employees for challenging college career programs. Because it is web-based, HCLN™ is available any time, any where a participant desires to learn. Second Life, an online virtual reality program, is one of the applications we are harnessing to reach out to let employees know what it takes to move up the career ladder in health care. Take a look for yourself.

Learn more about HCLN². Go to the box labeled: "What You Need to Know!" - and click on: "Learn more about HCLN"

For further information on learning objects, please contact us.

¹ Kindred Health Care, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; the North Shore, Merrimac Valley, Greater Lowell, and Metro Southwest Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), and Essex County Community Organization (ECCO).

² Use of FireFox is suggested to access the website.