How to run an effective microlearning pilot for nurse education

As a healthcare L&D professional, you're likely familiar with the challenges of keeping nursing staff up-to-date with their training. Between irregular schedules, long shifts, and the fast-paced nature of healthcare, finding time for traditional e-learning can feel impossible. That's where microlearning comes in—but how do you actually implement it effectively?

Let's walk through a practical approach to creating a microlearning pilot program for your nursing staff, with real examples you can adapt for your organization.

Related Resource: Check out this real-life example using 7taps in healthcare training, from Bassett Medical Center.

Pick the right topic for your microlearning pilot

Your pilot's success largely depends on choosing a topic that resonates with your nurses' daily challenges. The key is to identify areas where quick, accessible learning can make an immediate impact on patient care and staff confidence. 

Look for topics that come up frequently in staff meetings, incident reports, or quality improvement discussions. These are often perfect candidates for microlearning because they represent real, ongoing needs rather than theoretical training requirements.

Consider starting with one of these focused topics:

• Proper documentation for high-risk medications
• Managing difficult conversations with family members
• Quick reference guide for common IV complications
• Best practices for shift handover communication

For example: If you notice recurring incidents related to medication documentation, a microlearning module on "The 5-minute guide to error-free med documentation" could directly address this pain point.

Create bite-sized, practical content

When developing your content, think in terms of quick, actionable lessons. Nurses need information they can immediately apply to their practice, not theoretical concepts. Consider the workflow of a busy unit—your content should fit naturally into the brief moments between patient care activities. A successful module on IV complications might include:

• A 2-minute video demonstrating proper IV site assessment
• A quick-reference checklist for identifying infiltration
• A short quiz on the signs of phlebitis
• Real case scenarios with decision points

✅ Remember: If a nurse can't complete the module between patient rounds, it's probably too long.

Choose your pilot group strategically

The composition of your microlearning pilot group can make or break your program's success. You need a diverse group that represents different perspectives and working conditions within your organization. This variety helps identify potential implementation challenges across all shifts and departments before a full rollout. Consider including staff members who will give you honest, constructive feedback and who influence their peers' opinions about new initiatives.

Your microlearning pilot group could include:

• A charge nurse from the emergency department
• Two floor nurses from different shifts
• A new graduate nurse
• A veteran nurse who's typically skeptical of new training methods
• A nurse educator

Track and measure what matters

Before launching your pilot, establish clear success metrics that align with your department's goals and challenges. Focus on measurements that demonstrate both engagement with the content and its practical impact on patient care. Your evaluation strategy should encompass both quantitative and qualitative measures to give you a complete picture of the pilot's effectiveness.

Key metrics to consider tracking:

• Completion rates during different shifts
• Knowledge retention after 1 week/1 month
• Number of attempts needed to pass assessments
• Real-world application (through supervisor observation)

Make improvements based on real feedback

Don't just collect feedback—act on it. If nurses report that modules are too long for their workflow, consider breaking the content into shorter segments. Even a 5-minute module might need to be shortened to better fit between patient care activities.

Tips for getting buy-in for microlearning

Building support for your microlearning initiative requires a strategic approach that addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of change management. Focus on demonstrating clear value to both staff and leadership, and be prepared to show how the program aligns with existing quality improvement goals.

Effective strategies include:

• Share success stories from other departments or hospitals
• Demonstrate a module during a staff meeting
• Have influential nurses test and advocate for the program
• Connect the training directly to common challenges nurses face

Related Resource: Find out how Karen Hoffman got buy-in to use microlearning at the California Dental Association

Common pitfalls to avoid in microlearning

When implementing microlearning, even small obstacles can significantly impact adoption rates. Through our work with healthcare organizations, we've identified several common challenges that can derail an otherwise promising pilot:

• Making modules too lengthy or complex
• Using unfamiliar technical jargon in navigation or instructions
• Requiring special equipment or complicated login processes
• Trying to cover too many topics in your pilot

Start your microlearning pilot (2 helpful resources)

Start small with a single, focused topic that addresses a current challenge in your department. For instance, if patient satisfaction scores show room for improvement in communication, begin with a microlearning series on effective patient interactions.

Remember, your goal isn't to replace all existing training—it's to provide nurses with practical, accessible learning tools that fit their demanding schedules and support better patient care.

Ready to get started? 

Here are 2 free resources to help you launch your microlearning pilot:

1. Download our free Learner Persona template to help you better understand and design for your nursing staff's unique learning needs and constraints.
2. Sign up for 7taps to create your first microlearning module. Our platform is specifically designed to make it easy to create the kind of bite-sized, accessible learning that busy healthcare professionals need. You can start building your first course in minutes—no technical expertise required.

Your nurses deserve training that works with their schedules, not against them. Take the first step toward more effective nurse education today.

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