Revitalizing the infection prevention workforce with a fellowship program for underrepresented groups.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Health Equity

Background:

• Infection preventionist (IP) positions are challenging to fill, with anticipated future workforce shortages.
• The field of infection prevention lacks racial and ethnic diversity compared to the general nursing workforce and patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a targeted fellowship program in recruiting and training infection preventionists.
• To address anticipated workforce shortages in infection prevention.
• To enhance racial and ethnic diversity within the infection prevention field.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a specialized fellowship program designed for individuals from underrepresented groups.
• Training and professional development provided through the fellowship.
• Monitoring recruitment and retention of fellows as IPs.

Main Results:

• The fellowship program successfully recruited and trained new infection preventionists.
• The program helped mitigate potential staffing shortages in infection prevention roles.
• The initiative contributed to increasing diversity within the IP workforce.

Conclusions:

• Targeted fellowship programs are effective strategies for addressing healthcare workforce shortages.
• Such programs can enhance diversity and inclusion in specialized fields like infection prevention.
• Investing in diverse talent pipelines is crucial for strengthening the infection prevention workforce.