Amid nationwide nurse staffing shortages and rapid technological advances, there is an increasing need for nursing professionals with specialized knowledge and skills.
Nurses themselves view specialization and continuing education as a means to advance in their careers and achieve professional goals beyond simply renewing their licenses.
However, finding the time to pursue higher degrees or certification is not an option for many busy nurses already struggling to balance work, family life, and other responsibilities.
This is where micro-credentials come in.
What are micro-credentials?
Often used interchangeably with the terms digital badge or micro-certification, micro-credentials refer to learning experiences that are significantly shorter than traditional academic degrees and target a specific skill, competency, or topic. They are an emerging strategy designed to incentivize and verify knowledge and skill acquisition across various disciplines.
These credentials are typically awarded after the completion of short courses or training modules. The short and flexible nature of these courses facilitates professional development, especially when offered through virtual platforms.
Why should nurses earn micro-credentials?
Micro-credentials allow nurses to pursue knowledge in emerging areas or develop specific skills that may not be covered in traditional degree programs or continuing education.
Furthermore, as with other types of certification, micro-credentials offer the following benefits:
- Demonstrate expert knowledge to employers, patients, and families
- Build clinical confidence and a personal sense of achievement
- Offer flexible, affordable, and time-efficient professional validation
- Demonstrate readiness for career progression
- Stack courses strategically to form comprehensive certifications or build toward higher qualifications
- Network and collaborate with other healthcare professionals and exchange knowledge across diverse specializations and experiences
The short duration and flexibility of courses allow nursing professionals to upskill or reskill in a way that aligns with their lifestyle and career aspirations.
Why should healthcare leaders support micro-credentialing?
Healthcare organizations benefit from supporting micro-credentialing in numerous ways:
- It helps establish a standard of knowledge among team members.
- It fosters a culture of lifelong learning and excellence in patient care.
- It demonstrates a commitment to staff members’ professional development.
- It increases nurse job satisfaction and engagement.
Importance of micro-credentials in rural nursing
The shortage of healthcare professionals is especially acute in underserved and rural areas. Micro-credentials can help close gaps in access to care by facilitating upskilling and enhancing professional development.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), 24.4% of the United States population resides in rural areas. Rural nurses working in smaller healthcare facilities must be able to think critically and provide care for clients of all ages with a wide variety of healthcare needs. Unlike nurses in large city hospitals who may work in a single specialty or with a specific population, nurses in rural healthcare settings need to essentially be jacks of all trades, able to provide nursing care in diverse areas such as:
- Emergency medicine
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Telemetry
- Surgery
Micro-credentialing enables rural nurses to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of their jobs. Small investments in skill development can have significant impacts, particularly among rural populations.
How can nurses get micro-credentials?
Many institutions offer opportunities to earn micro-credentials and improve their skills. For example, Nightingale College's EvolvEd offers asynchronous online courses for busy nurses wanting to develop knowledge and skills in niche areas, including rural health, mental health, wellness, self-care, and faculty training.
These micro-credentialing courses feature engaging and practical resources, including case studies, job aids, informational handouts, and videos, designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Courses consist of 4-6 modules that verify advanced knowledge in the chosen topic.
For instance, in the area of rural health, nurses can complete the following micro-credentialing modules from Nightingale College, while simultaneously accruing continuing education units (CEUs):
- Health Promotion for Rural Populations: Examines health promotion and disease prevention interventions related to rural populations
- Nursing Care for Rural Populations: Focuses on the role of nurses in promoting health and completing comprehensive assessments for rural clients
- Rural Health: Determinants, Disparities, and Solutions: Provides learners with the opportunity to examine issues in rural health while applying nursing knowledge and skills to promote, maintain, and restore health in the rural community
- Rural Health Capstone: Provides learners with the opportunity to complete a rural community health assessment and develop community health initiatives to address rural healthcare needs
- Rural Health: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness (coming soon): Equips nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective, culturally sensitive care in rural healthcare settings
Advance your career with micro-credentials
From the comfort of your own home, and with no more than your phone, you can pursue a micro-credential that validates your knowledge and gives you a competitive edge.
Ready to upskill or reskill to advance in your career?
Customize your professional advancement one micro-credential at a time.
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