For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Brian Noonan
Senior Director of Communications and Education
(402) 742-8151 or bnoonan@nebraskahospitals.org
The Nebraska Hospital Association, in collaboration with Nebraska state leadership and its 92
member hospitals officially launched a hospital workforce solution. The objective of this program
was to design a scalable solution that Nebraska hospitals would benefit from today as well as
secure a future pipeline of committed health care students for generations to come.
Governor Pillen and K.C. Belitz, Director of Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development,
shared the need to solve this workforce crisis and secured funding to support NHA’s effort.
NHA built this health care solution in a manner that Nebraska Leaders, Chambers and
Philanthropic groups could use the exact same framework to solve any industry’s workforce
crisis. This approach not only provides mission critical engagement data to both hospitals and
students, but will also be our best recruiting tool for health care students from the surrounding
states to come to the great state of Nebraska.
The Nebraska Health Care Association and Medica were also instrumental in supporting this
groundbreaking effort.
Symphony Workforce was selected as the platform provider and strategic partner for this
workforce solution. Their Find the Why! (FTW!) platform offers a unique student engagement
model that meets students on their technology device in a manner in which they engage their
world. Students “discover and then are discovered” through a gamified pursuit of industry
problem solving that excites the student and matches the amount of schooling they want to
pursue as part of their career path.
How it works
Students are incentivized with cash prizes, offers from companies, assessments to better
understand themselves and an auto generated FTW! digital resume based on their actions
captured on the platform.
Once the student completes the program, their stock will rise and they will have a step up on
other students when it comes to being recruited by companies, college and universities based
upon their specific effort, traits, and desires. To borrow a sports metaphor, these young people
will be sought after in the same way athletes are recruited by Husker coaches.
NHA members will now have access to aggregate student data that truly matters in the recruiting
process. The FTW! platform has been adopted in the largest public school district (Omaha Public
Schools) as well as several rural districts and private schools across the state.
Students will complete and store their certifications on their FTW! Platform, completing a proof of
learning Challenge, a learning module and a certification test. All of the information will reside on
each student’s FTW! Digital Resume. Hospitals benefit since the platform captures and stores
100% of skills, qualifications, and students’ desires in order to recruit the students to their
community earlier than in the past.
In the 2024-2025 School year, the goal of this program is to impact the number of students
choosing health care as their career:
● 3rd – 6th grades: 2,000
● 7 – 12th grades: 3,500
● Undergrad nursing students: 4,000
Additional notes:
Stacey Ocander, Senior Director, Workforce and Education Initiatives for NHA, and Todd Smith,
CEO, Symphony Workforce, were recently featured on the Getting Smart podcast to discuss this
innovative partnership. Getting Smart is an advocacy and design organization that spotlights and
catalyzes innovations in K-12 learning and beyond. This conversation is a part of their multi-year
exploration of creating durable and effective pathways for students.
Learn more at GettingSmart.com/new-pathways. The podcast episode will drop on July 31.
Questions or need additional information? Reach out to Stacey Ocander at NHA.
About the NHA
The Nebraska Hospital Association has been the guiding force of its members since 1927. The
NHA serves as the influential voice of its members in the health care legislative and public
arenas, promoting the delivery of quality health care and influencing public opinion of hospitals
and health networks. Members depend on the Association for information, advice, education and
changes in health care regulations, legislation, trends and other issues.