FNU Provides LinkedIn Learning to Further Staff Development

Professional development has long been a staple of employee development at Frontier Nursing University. Employees are encouraged to seek additional training and attend conferences to enhance their existing skills and develop new ones. These approved career development opportunities are paid for by the university.

In 2022, Frontier added LinkedIn Learning as another tool to help staff members continue to hone their talents and explore even broader areas of interest, such as diversity training, mental health topics, or developing leadership and public speaking skills.

“LinkedIn Learning provides a platform for continuing education and access to over 17,800 courses and learning paths, with more being added each week,” said Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Rachel Risner, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE. “Staff have access to unlimited courses that are easy to search and navigate. The courses are also taught by expert instructors that are leaders in the industry. The courses are accessible on a computer or mobile device. There are courses to fit everyone’s needs based on their current position.”

Frontier paid for a LinkedIn Learning subscription for all staff members. Dr. Risner said she hopes to be able to extend the subscription to faculty in 2023 as well. Less than a year into the use of LinkedIn Learning, staff members were already putting the tool to good use:

• Activated seats: 59%

• Users engaged in content: 50%

• Average number of hours per user: < 2 hours

• Number of courses viewed: 768

• Number of videos viewed: 2,454

• Full course completions: 101

Some departments are making LinkedIn Learning part of their way of work. For example, each member of the Advancement Department completes at least one course per month and reports on what they learned at the department’s monthly meeting. This also provides a good opportunity to share recommendations for or against certain courses.

“The benefits or strengths of LinkedIn Learning to staff is that it is a value-added service to our employees to promote professional development,” said FNU Human Resources Director LaToshia Daniel, MSHRML, SHRMCP. “All in all, LinkedIn Learning is a diverse and inclusive learning management system platform to promote not only professional development but also enhance individual skills.”