Meeting the Challenges of COVID-19
Meeting the Challenges of COVID-19
and a Potential Surge
The Health Workforce Initiative was proudly a participant in a statewide collaboration with representatives from California Hospital Association, California Organization of Associate Degree Nursing, Association of California Nurse Leaders, California Simulation Alliance, California Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Nurses Association California, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Healthforce Center at UCSF and the California Nursing Students Association. Thanks to all for such great work. Tools are available at the link on the bottom of the page.
On March 30th, 2020 Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-39-20 asking Californians and healthcare leaders to meet the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients. As a result, nurse leaders in California have risen to the occasion to address the many demands of increasing and upskilling the workforce and delivering care during this disaster. Leadership during a crisis requires a well-thought-out structure to guide the nursing workforce in the face of rapid changes and potential disruption of usual processes and standards of care. To prepare California's nursing workforce and academic institutions over the past month, HealthImpact convened workgroups of subject matter experts to help guide the nursing profession on aspects of the Governor's Executive Order and direction to increase the workforce. The volunteer efforts by nursing leaders yielded a series of toolkits that provide guidance for responding to COVID-19 and preparing for the surge of patients. The four workgroups focused on the following initiatives:
Academia: The group created recommendations for institutions that provide support for both faculty and students. These support continuing student progression towards graduation; offer suggestions to academic institutions and nursing students in potentially receiving academic credit; and integrate nursing students in practice facilities during a surge.
Clinical Agencies: Toolkits are available to help healthcare organizations onboard and orient nurses and students in crisis situations and help administrators and employees understand how to integrate nursing students and volunteer nurses into the workplace.
Preparation for Assignment: HealthImpact is mindful of the needs of staffing hospitals, recruiting healthcare professionals and students, and preparing them for COVID-19 crisis assignments. The group focused on preparing for an assignment and wellness as key content to curate.
Caring for COVID-19 patients requires new knowledge. The California Simulation Alliance curated up-to-date and evidence-based information to educate students, faculty and practicing clinicians about distance learning and COVID-19 care. Please see our toolkits, documents, and additional resources at the HealthImpact website COVID-19 Resource Center page at https://healthimpact.org/covid-19-resource-center/