Travel Nursing....but for Educators?? A Possible Solution for the Healthcare Skills Gap

      Through COVID, travel nursing has proven to be an extremely beneficial route for all parties involved. Hospitals can receive help quickly, and without having to do a large amount of training prior to the individual starting. And the nurse is paid very well for the inconvenience of moving from contract to contract and away from their home. 

      Is it time to see the same trend in healthcare education and training? Just like when you receive a new piece of technology and equipment in the hospital - usually you will have a representative from that company come and educate all of the staff on that piece of technology and/or equipment. They ensure everything runs smoothly, everyone feels comfortable with the technology or equipment, and they are there to troubleshoot or answer any questions as needed for a period of time. 

   Could this be a potential solution for healthcare skills education and training? Could it be more beneficial for hospitals to hire contracted educators and trainers to come in as needed and work with staff on specific skills? 

   Having contracted educators and trainers could help in numerous ways:

• Relieving the current staff of having to train new employees while still trying to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
• Hospitals would not need to have as many full time educators on staff, and could use those educator’s time more efficiently. 
• Educators could have more job opportunities and chance for a potential increase of pay with travel.
• Having a company that maintains these contractors could ensure consistency and standardization across the board of education and training. 
• Providing hospital staff with more hands-on training and skill development. 
• Etc

    Could this be the future of healthcare education and training? I am hopeful that with current technology, we will find a way that will be effective, efficient, and beneficial for everyone involved!