In addition to the changing higher education landscape and student attributes, a global pandemic has challenged nurse educators to innovate course delivery methods. Moreover, nursing students may need more flexibility to accomplish their educational goals as frontline workers. A possible innovation involves using the hybrid flexible, or HyFlex, course model.1 HyFlex is a student-centered approach where students pick their preferred class format (face-to-face, synchronous online, asynchronous online) on a daily, weekly, or topical basis.1,2 Each option has requirements to keep student workload the same. Learner choice, equivalency, reusability, and accessibility are central.1 To design a HyFlex course, educators should first decide on course nonnegotiables, or important aspects of the course that need to be retained to help ensure success. Educators must ascertain what resources are available and which are needed, and also plan activities and assessment methods to fit with each student learning outcome. For example, students could attend a HyFlex course synchronously by attending in person or online. This session could be recorded for those who cannot attend live. Asynchronous online students may have additional requirements to keep workload the same. HyFlex courses hold promise in helping nursing students achieve educational goals in the current environment.

Acknowledgment

The author would like to thank Mr. Robert Keddell for inspiring this work.

References