Building Bridges: The Journey of Alabama's Health Action Coalition.

Authors :: Ratcliffe CJ
Cheshire MH
Buckner EB
Dawson MA
Berry SR
McDaniel GS
Ladner KA
Source :: Nursing education perspectives [Nurs Educ Perspect] 2017 Sep/Oct; Vol. 38 (5), pp. 259-263.
Publication Year :: 2017
Abstract: Aim: The Alabama Health Action Coalition is a state coalition whose purpose is to enable access to high-quality, safe, and patient-centered health care for all Alabamians by leading change in nursing and health care.<br />Background: The Alabama Health Action Coalition has four focus areas: advancing nursing education, improving nursing workforce data, promoting diversity among nursing and health care professionals, and fostering a culture of health.<br />Method: From 2012 to 2014, the Advancing Education Taskforce and Health Workforce Committee initiated processes to maximize resources, track changes in workforce data, and provide support for goal achievement.<br />Results: Outcomes included an increase in the number of nurses with a BSN and higher degrees from 35 percent to 50 percent, nearing national averages.<br />Conclusion: Tracking of trends continues with 2016 data. This growth is particularly important in a state with a large, underserved population and high percentage of rural areas.