Optum teams with Capella University on nurse practitioner educational program
The program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to help prepare them for licensure and to lead in their field.
Photo: Maskot/Getty Images
Optum has partnered with accredited online university Capella University on a new educational program designed to address the growing need for skilled, advanced practice nurses.
Optum, the health services arm of UnitedHealth Group, plans on pairing its clinical expertise and sites of care with Capella's educational capabilities.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT
The program will aim to provide students with the skills and knowledge to help prepare them for licensure and to lead in their field. In addition, many students will have the option to access a national network of care locations to develop real-world skills, as well as the benefit of dedicated recruitment resources and the opportunity to apply for available positions at the company.
There will be additional benefits to current Optum nurse practitioners seeking to advance their careers, including the opportunity for reduced tuition and leadership development, the organization said.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, there will be more than 200,000 openings for nurses annually through 2031. At the same time, faculty shortages at nursing schools are not keeping up with the demand, with more than 91,000 qualified students being turned away from nursing programs due to the shortage of educators, clinical and classroom space, and preceptors.
The program's first offering is a Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AG-PCNP). Enrollment is now open, with courses beginning Oct. 9.
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is expected to launch at a later date.
THE LARGER TREND
Strong Q2 financial performance for UnitedHealth Group this year was attributable largely to revenue growth at Optum, with the company growing 25% to $56.3 billion, and operating earnings growing 13% to $3.7 billion.
That strong showing by the subsidiary helped UHG realize Q2 revenues that, at $92.9 billion, were 16% higher than the year previous.
For Q2, Optum's operating margin of 6.6% compares to 7.3% in the prior year. Optum Health revenue per consumer served increased 33% over last year, driven by growth of more than 900,000 patients served under value-based care arrangements.
ON THE RECORD
"Optum and Capella University are working together to help address the critical need for qualified clinicians we all rely upon to keep us healthy and well," said Kristy Duffey, chief nursing officer at Optum Health. "By bringing together our unique sets of skills and capabilities, we will be able to train the next generation of highly qualified nurse practitioners equipped to take on the healthcare challenges of tomorrow."
"Capella University is honored to partner with Optum to support the need for nurse practitioners," said Dick Senese, president of Capella University. "Capella has a reputation of strong industry leadership in nursing education that we are thrilled to bring to this program as we expand our portfolio."
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
