Managing clinical placements requires significant time, careful coordination, and precise communication. Relying on manual methods like spreadsheets, phone calls, and lengthy email chains often leads to miscommunication and delayed schedules. By transitioning away from time-consuming manual processes, healthcare organizations and academic institutions can focus on what matters most, which is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

This guide explores the most important features to look for in such a platform, highlighting how the right system can streamline processes, support your workforce, and improve patient outcomes. Understanding these features will help your organization make informed decisions and build a foundation for lasting success.

We analyzed data from over 670 medical services professionals (MSPs) for the HealthStream® 2026 Trends in Medical Staff Credentialing report to bring you a deeper understanding of what’s shaping credentialing practices across the industry.

‍Approved for 1 NAMSS CE

Parkland Health modernized its revenue cycle training with FinThrive Learn, cutting coder onboarding time from five months to just 4–6 weeks. The solution delivered tailored, role‑specific education aligned with Epic EHR workflows, including hands‑on SimLabs and real‑world case training. With built‑in CEUs and flexible learning, Parkland improved coder productivity, engagement, and job satisfaction. The organization achieved a 100% success rate in its apprentice program, creating a faster, more scalable path to workforce readiness.

Art & Science of Competency 2026 examines how healthcare organizations can measure and strengthen nurse readiness more effectively in an environment defined by staffing strain, rising care complexity, and growing pressure to verify real-world competency. Drawing on 2025 benchmark data across more than 40 specialties, the report shows why knowledge scores alone are not enough, where the largest competency gaps persist, and how targeted development can improve clinical judgment while reducing unnecessary seat time.

Built for nurse leaders, educators, and healthcare executives, the report outlines a more defensible, data-driven model for competency development—one that helps organizations align readiness, development, and staffing decisions to actual patient care demands.

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The United States has been dealing with a significant maternal care crisis for decades. Despite medical advancements, the country continues to see a troubling number of women dying from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. However, this issue does not affect all demographics equally. The data paints a clear picture of racial disparities within healthcare. Black pregnant women experience significantly worse outcomes than their white counterparts, highlighting deep-rooted issues in how maternal care is delivered and accessed.