| Learning Objective #1: Describe the key ingredients of a recruitment and retention strategy that can be developed through a hospital and university partnership | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe one approach to implementing planned change at a systems level using an educational approach that facilitates life-long learning |
This presentation describes an educational initiative jointly sponsored by McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, the largest provider of psychiatric services in the Central South region of Ontario. The hospital approached the university for help in addressing the need to attract and retain nurses who have commitment to, and expertise in, psychiatric nursing. Additionally, the region has adopted a recovery-oriented approach for psychiatric services at a system’s level, necessitating a re-examination of existing practice in light of this paradigm shift. Both the hospital and university identified further challenges for nursing practice: the nurturing of the next generation of nursing leaders, the implications of the BScN as entry to practice by 2005, and the barriers facing diploma-prepared nurses when considering degree completion programs. The partnership has developed a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Certificate program that meets all university standards. Courses in the program can be used for credit in the degree completion BScN or as a stand-alone certificate. A collaborative approach to curriculum design and resource development, including a cost-shared, joint-appointed faculty position, assists in crossing the “gown and town” chasm. The courses are offered using McMaster’s small-group, problem-based learning educational approach, which has been previously demonstrated to facilitate life-long learning and evidence-based practice. Courses are clustered into one day per week, offered on-site over four semesters to facilitate working nurses integrating their new learning into practice. This presentation focuses on the process and content of the collaboration, facilitating the replication and adaptation of this approach in other jurisdictions. The presentation will discuss strategies for promoting environments that support changes in practice as the learners move between the practice and educational settings. The plan for evaluating the impact of the program will be described. Future directions to advance psychiatric mental health nursing that have arisen from this partnership will be highlighted.
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