title: Returning nurses to the workforce: developing a fast track back program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fast Track Back: Re-entry into Nursing Practice program.
  Describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a state-of-the-art re-entry program facilitating the return of licensed nonpracticing RNs to the workforce through a quality education program that retools them for the workforce in the areas of pharmacology, skill development using the latest technology, practice standards, and nursing issues. The program consists of didactic content taught via classroom, Internet, skills laboratory, and high fidelity human simulated technology and a clinical component.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program is a mechanism that enables re-entry nurses to improve skills and competencies necessary to practice in today's healthcare environment.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. burnsh@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Helen K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Teresa J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sakraida
authors.forename: Nadine C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Englert
authors.forename: Rosemary L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tuite
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D048108:Nursing Informatics / Q000193:education; D009736:Nursing Process; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010414:Pennsylvania; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D013997:Time Factors