By Amy Curtis | October 2024

In this issue: We attended the HOSA Fall Conference, How do nurses use social media, October Research Committee recap.

This newsletter is 1,041 words long, about a 4-minute read.

HOSA Fall Conference: Our view from inside

Rural Kansas main street.

The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center attended the 2024 Fall HOSA Conference to get student feedback about nursing. HOSA is  a student-led global organization that provides a program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition for middle school, secondary, postsecondary, and collegiate students interested in health and biomedical sciences. It's often described as the healthcare version of Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Why it matters: HOSA is literally the future of healthcare. There were over 850 high school students in attendance from all parts of Kansas. Each has an active interest in studying and working in healthcare. And their energy and passion were palpable.

Before the conference: The conference is organized with learning in mind and embedded in everything they do. The conference is structured to give students the experience of registering for sessions in advance, similar to most statewide or annual conferences.

During the Conference: It was clear that students had a sense of responsibility to navigate sessions on time and participate fully. The display areas and informational booths were very well attended.

"I was blown away by the geographical diversity of the attendees,” said Barbara MacArthur, Kansas Nursing Workforce Center director. “Exhibitors represented all levels of health occupations, certifications, education, and specialties—including being a veterinary nurse or technician, as a member of a healthcare team who provides care for animals and supports their owners.”

Why we attended: The Center wanted to hear directly from the future healthcare providers, so we facilitated one of our standard listening sessions. Students learned about the Center and the report on the State of Nursing in Kansas. But the primary objective was to ask students about their thoughts and experiences surrounding their interest in nursing. 

"The students were open, very participatory and engaged,” said MacArthur. “Some shared family stories, as well as their personal experiences actively working in healthcare facilities. Many shared their hopes, aspirations, and concerns related to academics or workplace dynamics.”

Surprising finding: There was a general consensus among students that social media representation of nurses and nursing may not be trustworthy. And while it might be interesting, social media is not a primary influence for them when it comes to learning about the nursing profession.

"This meeting was a continuation of the Center's collaboration with HOSA, but it brought us in direct contact with the student members of the organization for vital collaboration,” said MacArthur. “These are key stakeholders in our mission, and we look forward to  expanding the relationship and to research and share what we learn.”

Catch up quick: October Research Committee Meeting

Screenshot from the October Research Committee meeting

The Research Committee for the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center continues to grow. We are excited to welcome all new members from across the state!

Watch a recording of the October Research Committee meeting where Aditi Gupta, M.D., KU Medical Center Frontiers Associate Director and Julius Leary, Ed.D., Frontiers Executive Director, presented their "Frontiers Roadshow” to explain the resources, services, training programs, and funding opportunities.  

Remember: Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute offers an extensive array of free consulting services to Kansas researchers. Services include clinical study strategies, data design and analysis, research support, funding, education, and training, as well as community and collaboration.

Next month we will hear from Heidi Keeler, PhD, MSN/MBA, RN, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing and Alexander Alsup, MS, University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Biostatistics & Data Science about “Preceptor-Clinical Instructor Needs Assessment Survey”, a Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) study to address the needs of nurse preceptors, clinical instructors, and clinical site placement staff preparation in Region 7 (Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas).    

Led by Shin Hye Park, PhD, RN, the Research Committee, facilitates and promotes collaborative nurse research activities across the state. The committee's goal is to leverage research talent to better serve the healthcare community of Kansas, advance the field of nursing and healthcare and strengthen the nursing workforce in Kansas.

The next scheduled meeting is November 21, 2024 from 10-11 a.m.

You can sign up here to receive the meeting link. Please forward to colleagues who may also wish to attend.   

What is the relationship between nurses’ social media use and job decision-making?

Heather Nelson-Brantley, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, and former Kansas Nursing Workforce Center colleague, recently published a study, “The relationship between social media use, nurse characteristics, and job decision-making” in the Journal of Nursing Administration.

The study’s objective was to describe nurses' use of social media and examine the relationship between social media use, nurse characteristics, and job decision-making.

Key findings show that nurses in the study primarily use social media for personal reasons over professional reasons on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, but turned to LinkedIn for professional social media use.

Professional use of social media included advocacy, research and professional association activities.

Why it matters: employers and nurse managers need a good understanding of where their nursing staff consumes information and for what purpose so that they can strategically leverage the platforms where nurses get information.

State of Nursing in Kansas 2024 Key Finding: Active Employment

The good news: 85% of the RNs and LPNs who hold Kanas licenses are actively employed in nursing.

But wait: Kansas RNs are less likely to be actively employed in nursing than the national sample.

Why this matters: Knowing the work intent of licensed nurses helps employers make better decisions about hiring and retaining their nursing staff which translates to healthy Kansans.

Go deeper: When reading the report, see pages 22 and 37 for detailed information on RN and LPN/LVN employment status and plans for retirement.

The future is bright

Hello colleagues and friends!

The HOSA Fall Leadership Conference was absolutely energizing.

We encourage anyone concerned about our future healthcare workforce to rest assured that the next generation is already carefully learning, planning, and considering their pathway into healthcare professions.

Our challenge to you is to get involved. Ask your local high school if there is a HOSA chapter. If there isn’t one yet, help sponsor one or start one.

Be the change you want to see in Kansas healthcare!

—Barbara MacArthur and Amy Garcia

Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

What We’re Reading

p.s. The State of Nursing in Kansas Report made it's way to Washington, D.C. this week! 

Have Kansas Nursing Workforce news, solutions, or kudos you’d like us to share?
Email nursingwill@kumc.edu

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