The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $1,998,200 to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in 2003, to address the critical current and projected shortage of nurses. In this model, CAEL builds the pool of new health care workers through a career lattice including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) using the apprenticeship training model, and then provides a pathway to the Registered Nurse career through a hybrid distance learning/community college training model.

CAEL has ensured the sustainability of this health care career pathway approach through its extensive partnerships with participating hospitals and national health care systems, the community college system, the registered apprenticeship system, and local One-Stop Career Centers, all of which have the infrastructure to support this unique approach after the federal investment has been fully expended.

STATEMENT OF PROGRAM GOALS

• To address the national nursing shortage with the development of a career lattice program model focused on increasing the number of Certified Nurses Aides (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs).
  
• To recruit incumbent healthcare workers as an available and valuable source of experienced personnel.
  
• To respond to the critical need to increase the flow of candidates into nursing and to attract candidates who better mirror the patient population.
  
• To create a structure that enhances the likelihood new entrants will remain and increases their chances of success.

• Develop pilot CNA and LPN Apprenticeship programs to provide opportunities for new and incumbent workers to enter and advance in nursing careers.
  
• Link to national on-line nursing program that provides an opportunity for LPNs to earn an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, sit for the National Council Licensure Examination and become an RN in less than two years.
  
• Promote best practices in educational policy among healthcare providers.
  
• Encourage careers in nursing and healthcare, particularly among demographic groups traditionally underrepresented within the industry.
  
• Create strong support networks for adult learners engaged in healthcare education.
  
• Link these efforts to the publicly supported Workforce Investment system.