200 advanced practice providers and 475 medical assistants since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic . We ’ ve expanded our academic outreach strategy to recruit hundreds of newly graduated RNs from more than seventy-two colleges and universities around the country . We ’ ve also diversified our workforce internationally to include experienced RNs from more than ten countries across the world .
Our team in WFD facilitates a rigorous schedule of more than nineteen training programs per year , including pharmacy technician , behavioral health specialist and medical assistant . We ’ ve been able to launch a new Lifespan Nursing Assistant School , which is a fully home-grown and entirely in-house educational experience licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health and rooted in our organization ’ s mission and core values . Since 2020 , we ’ ve hired more than 600 people through our workforce development efforts . Our programs benefit underserved populations through life-changing job training and employment opportunities , while meeting the recruiting needs of the organization
with well-trained , engaged , retainable talent that reflects our patient population .
What other positions do you hold ? I am the treasurer of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association and an appointed board member of the Organization of Nurse Leaders . Both organizations help to keep me connected to the nursing community locally and nationally . It is critical for us to consider data-driven , collaborative , long-term health care workforce solutions . One way that I helped to positively influence nurse staffing is through our recent advocacy efforts to enact the Nurse Licensure Compact in RI . This new law allows nurses to hold a multistate license to practice across state lines without having to obtain multiple individual state licenses . This improvement will help to reduce administrative and financial burdens experienced by RNs seeking licensure in RI , while increasing the flexibility and mobility of our workforce , expanding our talent pool and improving preparedness for disaster response .
Health Care Heroes : Victoria Horsfield
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years at the Miriam Hospital . Advocacy is my favorite part of nursing and a skill that I have worked on in many different ways throughout my time as a nurse . My greatest mentor , Holley Lombardi ( nee Tucker ) demonstrated the importance of using our voice to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves . She taught me how to advocate for my co-workers , my patients and myself . When I think of Holley , I think of strength and doing what is right . I have set out to do what is right for those around me whether it is my patients or my peers . I have been a member of the President ’ s Advisory Council , participated as a Magnet Ambassador and joined the mock code team all to use my voice in different lights . To me , you can teach anyone to hang a bag of Zosyn , but you cannot always instill in someone when or how to speak up for those who need it most . My pride as a nurse comes from the moments when I can help others when they may not know how or be able to help themselves .
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