Research to administration, obstetrics to end-of-life care, the science and business of health has never been more complex.  Preparing future health care professionals and feeding the right talent into the system is arguably one of the most important challenges of this generation.

The AMA and IOM are predicting unprecedented shortfalls in both general nursing capacity and geriatrics specialists.  In an attempt to improve the reach of existing staff, advanced-practice nurses are the focus of a new wave of scope-of-practice bills being presented in 20 states. When this legislation reaches Oregon, LPNs and RNs across the state will be looking to our community colleges to provide the additional training they’ll need.  The first Baby Boomers will reach age 65 in 2011.  By 2030, there will be an estimated 8,000 geriatricians, but the nation will need 36,000 to provide sufficient care for our elderly.  These are only two of the many real-world tests to be faced by your students.

It’s clear that we’ll need more health care clinicians in the coming years. Being a participant in the Oregon Health Network will provide multiple benefits to community colleges statewide:

• GOOD FOR YOUR STUDENTS – The future is quite literally in your hands.  The people you’re training now are likely to face a health care landscape that is decidedly different from what we know today. 
   
• GOOD FOR YOUR SCHOOL – The availability of high-speed broadband connectivity and the telemedicine potential it represents can essentially level the playing field for community colleges. Rural and underserved campuses can offer the same curriculum being taught in the larger population centers. 
   
  
• GOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY – In addition to keeping medical talent close to home, improved health care workforce education via broadband technology provides a platform for a more robust economy.  And your college has the potential to become a regional health information hub through a variety of outreach programs, raising awareness of health education issues for your entire region.

CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE

From technical support to public policy, the Oregon Health Network is driven by the prospect of long-term stability and growth for our health care system.  And it all begins with education.

BECOMING AN OHN MEMBER PARTICIPANT

OHN is a dues based membership organization. Learn more about the benefits of participation and annual participation fees in "Join the Network".

Contact us today to learn more about providing the best possible health care work force education experience thanks to state-wide broadband connectivity through the Oregon Health Network.