How Implementing a Digital Competency Management System Reduced Nurse Training Cost and Improved NPD Practitioner Satisfaction in a Pediatric Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Traditional competency evaluations and manual tracking created a problem within one organization. Subjective competency assessments and inconsistent recordkeeping resulted in increased organizational costs. These factors increased the workload of nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners, leading to job dissatisfaction and turnover. METHOD: The project lead evaluated how implementing a digital competency management system (CMS) affected nurse training costs and assessed NPD practitioners' satisfaction after the digital CMS conversion. RESULTS: A cost analysis compared training costs before and after implementation of a digital CMS. A pre- and postsurvey compared NPD practitioners' satisfaction before and after digital implementation. A digital CMS provided a centralized repository and educational platform, which saved $500,000 in training costs and increased NPD practitioners' job satisfaction by decreasing workload and creating meaningful mechanisms to accurately assess staff knowledge and skills. CONCLUSION: The NPD practitioners showed tangible outcome measures and return on investment by combining adult learning and technology. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(5):239-245.].

The experience of Latino parents of hospitalized children during family-centered rounds.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the experience of Latino parents of hospitalized children during family-centered rounds (FCRs). BACKGROUND: Family-centered rounds provide a mechanism to exchange information and facilitate shared decision making. Latino parents may have a suboptimal experience during FCRs. Understanding this experience helps nurse leaders improve patient satisfaction. METHODS: Using a convenience sample, written surveys in Spanish were given to 20 parents who had attended at least 2 FCRs. The surveys were translated into English for data analysis. RESULTS: The narrative data were analyzed for common themes using content analysis. Four themes were identified: valued perception, inclusion and care, facilitated communication, and meeting expectations. CONCLUSIONS: Parents in this study felt that their participation and input were valued and that these positively impacted care. Family-centered rounds helped them understand the plan and facilitated communication when done in Spanish. Nurse leaders play a key role in improving satisfaction and increasing access to translation services or bilingual staff.