Our hospital's need for an innovative approach to nurse education became apparent when traditional e-learning modules and cumbersome LMS (learning management systems) failed to connect effectively with our staff. We were introduced to 7taps Microlearning by a sister hospital's education department. The flexibility and ease-of-use offered by 7taps encouraged us to pilot it within our critical care unit, and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
Practical steps for implementing microlearning in nursing education
“We have an online learning management system, which is helpful to get stuff out there, but it's also not always well received. And so we were trying to find a different way to connect with people that might be outside of our typical LMS."
1. Start small with a pilot course
We began our 7taps journey with a microlearning pilot of a single course. Selecting content that we were confident about allowed us to test the waters without overwhelming our staff. The feedback from this pilot was crucial for refining our approach and proving the platform's effectiveness within our unique nursing context.
2. Tailor content to fit irregular schedules
Nurses operate on 24/7 schedules, making it essential to deliver learning materials that they can access anytime, whether on day or night shifts. By using 7taps, we could place QR codes around the units and incorporate learning segments into weekly updates, ensuring timely and convenient access for all staff members.
Microlearning course example
3. Leverage multi-disciplinary collaboration
Creating effective microlearning content often required expertise beyond critical care. For highly specialized areas such as wound care or cardiac surgery, collaborative efforts were vital. We held team meetings with content experts to co-create modules that were both accurate and practical for our nurses.
4. Use tracking to address compliance and engagement
Understanding that some nurses might be hesitant to engage with learning materials on personal devices due to work-life balance concerns, we primarily employed QR codes and other in-unit methods. When necessary, sending links to personal devices allowed us to track engagement and ensure staff were recognized and rewarded for their learning efforts.
Results and Takeaways
Integrating 7taps into our nursing education program has yielded a variety of benefits. Nurses appreciated the ease of access and the ability to engage with content at their convenience. Moreover, the microlearning approach helped mitigate issues related to email fatigue and the limitations of traditional LMS modules.
Microlearning through 7taps has proven to be an effective method:
- It aligns with the hectic schedules of nursing staff by providing bite-sized, accessible learning modules.
- Collaborative creation of content ensures accuracy and relevance, enhancing the learning experience.
- Tracking engagement helps maintain compliance and ensures that nurses are appropriately compensated for their time spent on learning.
Try 7taps for Your Educational Needs
Our experience with 7taps underscores the platform's potential to revolutionize nurse education and beyond. Whether facing the rigors of healthcare or tackling educational challenges in other fields, 7taps can be a valuable tool for delivering impactful and accessible learning experiences.
💡More microlearning ideas
- Best nursing education practices from Bassett Healthcare Network
- Ways to reach and engage a large medical community
- Forbes-featured microlearning for talent and leadership development
- Mental health training for stressful environments
Ready to elevate your healthcare training? Create engaging content in minutes with a free 7taps account.
