It is said that the only constant in life is change, and nowhere is that more evident than in healthcare. From new research in treatment protocols to advanced technology and artificial intelligence, clinicians and leaders in the healthcare industry continually manage changes and updates in equipment, procedures and policies. At HCA Healthcare, our priority is to help support each colleague by giving them the tools and resources needed to prepare for change and to help care for the communities we serve. Education, training and workforce development are a large part of that effort.

In recent years, HCA Healthcare has prioritized enriching and expanding educational and leadership development programming throughout the organization, and 2023 saw some exciting new advances. From clinical training to executive development programs, there are opportunities for both colleagues and leaders to participate in classes, workshops and mentorship programs.

Providing continuing education opportunities is one way HCA Healthcare supports our front-line clinicians. “It’s of the utmost importance to make sure each colleague feels supported in their job, whether that’s in transitioning from the school setting to the workplace or providing experts around them [who can answer] questions and [on whom they can] lean for advice,” says Peter Lindquist, chief clinical education officer.

His role was created to ensure that HCA Healthcare continues to be at the forefront of clinical education.

“Our nurses impact millions of lives, and continuing education is the best way to ensure competencies are met and patient care and safety are prioritized,” Peter says.

Some of the ways his team will lead the growth and expansion of clinical education opportunities include an enhanced mentorship program and expansion of the HCA Healthcare Centers for Clinical Advancement. New nurses transitioning from school to work can participate in mentorship programs with a major focus on precepting during practicum, orientation and the first year on the job. Nurses of all levels of experience will have access to licensing updates and certification renewals, as well as opportunities to learn new skills and procedures. And, over the next three years, the number of Centers for Clinical Advancement will more than double, for a total of 34 off-campus learning labs. These facilities provide hands-on learning opportunities for front-line clinicians to focus on high-risk practices, keeping them highly informed and equipped to meet patient needs in any situation and at any care level.

As a learning healthcare system, HCA Healthcare is proud to offer best-in-class training and education to support the development of highly impactful leaders.

The HCA Healthcare Leadership Institute builds leaders who embrace our culture, grow our business and lead the industry. It also provides custom, industry-leading experiences that help colleagues across the leadership continuum drive HCA Healthcare’s mission, strategy and culture.

For our nursing community, we offer programs to prepare them at key stages in their career journey:

Nursing Leadership Certificate: This program offers certification for clinical nurse coordinators and charge nurses to help nursing leaders understand their own leadership strengths and development opportunities and develop skills to successfully lead teams that provide exceptional patient care and contribute to positive business outcomes.

Director Development Program: The Director Development Program is a 7- to 10-month cohort program designed to prepare aspiring leaders in adult acute inpatient, case management, emergency and surgical services, with quarterly alumni events to support ongoing development.

Executive Development Program: This is an application-based program that purposefully prepares leaders for hospital executive roles. The curriculum is designed to provide a wide variety of opportunities for participants to network, gain necessary experience and increase exposure to other facilities and divisions.

Chief Leadership Program for Chief Nursing Officers: The Chief Leadership Program (CLP) is a 10-month, cohort-based program that drives organizational performance through tactical execution as a result of strategic thinking and planning. CLP develops leadership capability in areas essential to nurse leader success, especially change leadership, and aligns and integrates the CNO role with the facility executive leadership team to drive shared accountability and measurable impact on hospital outcomes.

In 2023, the first cohort of CNOs graduated from CLP.

“So often people look at career development as working to get into a role, and once there it’s as if you’ve reached the mountaintop and development stops,” says Christina Tinker, director of executive nurse leadership and organizational development programs. “At HCA Healthcare, we recognize [that] you never stop developing. You’re always growing and building depth and new skill sets. While the program does equip you for career growth, our program also strives to develop depth within our leadership to propel our facilities and the entire system forward.”

Tami Taylor, chief nursing officer at Memorial Health UMC Savannah, found CLP extremely beneficial.

“It was a great opportunity to meet and network with other CNOs, share our struggles, learn best practices and learn from other leaders in the industry on topics such as strategy, business modeling and communication,” Tami says.

The module on communicating with impact was a game-changer for her.

“It was phenomenal to get a chance to really think about how communicating and advocating for something in a specific way can make a difference,” she says.

She put her learning into practice at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, where she was CNO before moving to Savannah. She saw a need for a night shift manager in the med-surg department and was able to get the full-time position approved, thanks to clear, direct communication.

Another new program, Practice Manager Academy (PMA), saw its first cohort of participants — a total of 527 — graduate in the spring of 2023. PMA ensures continual development for Physician Services’ practice managers beyond their first year in management positions, which is important because they set the tone for operational excellence at their offices, driving colleague engagement and ensuring that each practice runs smoothly. With over 1,300 practice locations, Physicians Services’ offices serve as access points for many of our patients.

The self-driven online course focuses on five competency areas:

• Decision-making
• Change management
• Finance and reporting
• Leading and developing others
• Communication

“Being able to take part in these educational programs without having to look for them and find them on my own was such a great opportunity,” says Krissy Burkhalter, practice manager at Austin Diagnostic Clinic in Austin, Texas. “I am always looking for things that will grow my career and knowledge. I also know how important it is for an organization to offer these options to colleagues, and I make sure to highlight HCA Healthcare’s dedication to workforce development at every interview I conduct with new hires.”

Krissy has already put into practice what she learned through PMA’s modules, including taking steps to improve her strategy for leading and developing others.

“It’s always been a passion of mine to help other colleagues find success in their career path, but I sometimes found it hard to focus on them while also completing all the responsibilities of my own job,” Krissy says.

Through PMA, she learned the importance of blocking out time for one-on-one meetings with colleagues. Being more intentional with her practice of communication helps Krissy lead others into chosen career paths and also increases her own job satisfaction.

From front-line clinicians to colleagues in supporting roles, it takes everyone working together at peak performance levels to provide the best patient experience possible. These initiatives not only help individuals develop their leadership skills, but they also help strengthen the entire HCA Healthcare team.

“Through the variety of clinical education and workforce development opportunities available, HCA Healthcare has shown me they really believe in putting time and resources into their colleagues,” Tami says. “As colleagues take part in these programs, we can then come to our respective facilities and work in a way that will improve patient care and safety and help the organization achieve success.”

Since acquiring Galen College of Nursing in 2020, HCA Healthcare and its colleagues have seen tremendous benefit in this educational partnership. Not only have many new nurses come into HCA Healthcare through the streamlined pipeline, but colleagues have also furthered their careers by completing bachelor’s or master’s degree programs while working full time. Galen College of Nursing also serves as a valuable resource in creating curriculums for training programs within HCA Healthcare.

Recently the college was designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, further exemplifying the commitment to education prioritized by both Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare.

“There is no higher honor than to be recognized by the National League for Nursing,” says Tracy Ortelli, executive vice president, Teaching and Learning Innovation, at Galen College of Nursing. “Galen strives to promote a culture of opportunity without barriers, using innovative approaches to deliver quality education with an authentic, caring approach to educating the future nursing workforce.”