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Jeanette Kamciyan, Director of Education for Bethesda Healthcare System in Boynton Beach, Florida, has been a user and strong advocate of
the NetLearning Learning Management System (LMS) since October 2001. “With our Education Department becoming increasingly fewer in number, we needed to find
a way to work smarter, not harder. I felt a system that was available to all staff on a 24 hour basis would be the best way to solve this problem.”
Jeanette felt that the NetLearning system offered the maximum amount of flexibility, productivity, and ease of use for both the staff and for those who have to administer it.
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In the beginning, Jeanette and her staff were trying to determine the best way to roll-out the new system throughout the facility. They decided to start with the 5 basic courses that all employees were required to take…….and then it grew!! Over the next 2 years, they systematically prioritized the various required topics and converted them to a CBL (Computer Based Learning) format. Now, almost all of their required education topics are in CBL format.
“It has almost become a cliche in our organization - when there is an educational need addressed, someone would invariably say.....‘Can we make a CBL on that?’" - Jeanette Kamciyan, Bethesda Healthcare System
They have even incorporated one of Thomson Delmar Learning’s CBL courses into their certification program at Bethesda Healthcare System. In the state of Florida, the Florida Nurse Practice Act (NPA) requires LPNs to take a 30 hour IV Course. Without it, LPNs cannot take care of IVs, which in turn, limits their productivity in the acute care setting.
Jeanette liked the “Read it, See it, Do it” aspect of the IV Therapy Skills CBL course that NetLearning, Thomson Delmar Learning had to offer. And because this course was fairly comprehensive regarding the topics required by the Florida NPA, it lent itself to utilization as a resource for this requirement. They were able to use the IV Therapy Skills course to account for 20 hours of the 30 hour requirement for their certification. The remaining 10 hours needed for completion comes from audio/video presentations and a 5-hour Skills Lab.
The audio and video presentations cover specific topics not covered in the CBL course. This includes the Fluid and Electrolyte Balance topic that is required by the Florida NPA, and also related material and information tailored to Bethesda’s specific needs regarding the type of IV equipment they utilize at their facility. The LPNs are given an exam based on the information learned from both the IV Therapy Skills course and the audio/video presentations as well.
The required Skills Lab allows the LPNs to practice their skills and then have their procedures monitored and approved with a preceptor. Once this is complete, they must have the preceptor sign a skills check list documenting the successful completion.
Once the LPN has completed the IV Therapy Skills CBL course, audio/video presentations, exam, and have turned in their signed skills check list documentation, they are finished with the certification program and receive their 30 hour IV Certificate of Completion.
According to Jeanette, this has made things easier for everyone involved. There is not as much instructor based teaching which frees up Jeanette’s time (although she is nearby for any questions that may arise), and it is easier for the LPNs because they can complete the course on their own time in the available computer lab.
Overall, by utilizing the LMS and available CBL courses into their facility and into their programs as well, NetlLearning has helped Jeanette and her staff make Bethesda Healthcare System a more efficient and productive facility. When asked about the reason for selecting NetLearning as their Learning Management System provider, Jeanette simply replied…...”nice product, nice people, simplicity and flexibility of the product”…..…I think that says it all!
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