Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI®) For Nursing Education
Research shows resuscitation skills begin to decline within three months of traditional 2‑year certification. The Resuscitation Quality Improvement® (RQI®) program reverses that trend with quarterly, high‑impact practice used by 2,000+ hospitals and nursing programs. The result: students who enter the workforce are more competent, confident, and competitive.
A Commitment to Excellence in Nursing
RQI for Nursing Education is powered by the American Heart Association's grounded educational research and science, and Laerdal's simulation technology with real-time audio and video feedback. Nursing Education Partners committed to excellence in nursing have validated the need to integrate low-dose high-frequency Resuscitation learning in nursing and allied health programs.
Laerdal, American Heart Association, RQI Partners, and the National League for Nursing partnered to encourage nursing programs to adopt the RQI for Nursing Education program.
Watch the video to see how 12 NLN member schools have revolutionized their High-Quality CPR training by adopting RQI for Nursing Education.
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Why RQI?
Developed by the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical, RQI is delivered through RQI Partners, the official provider of RQI, HeartCode®, and other resuscitation quality improvement solutions. The program is designed to eliminate preventable cardiac arrest deaths by delivering innovative, evidence-based training.
RQI is a proven resuscitation quality improvement program currently used by more than 1 million health care professionals nationwide and outside the U.S. The program’s courses measure and verify competence through self-directed, competence-based, simulation mastery learning and performance provided through cognitive and hands-on CPR quality improvement sessions. Rooted in the True Adaptive™ learning design, which leverages artificial intelligence, courses afford personalized instruction tailored to and driven by individual needs, knowledge levels, actions, and performance.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 students graduate each year from nursing programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Adopting RQI is a proven way of helping your nursing program to better prepare future nursing professionals to respond to cardiac arrest events competently and confidently—leading to an increase in survival rates!
"Low Dose, High Frequency" Learning - The Gold Standard for Resuscitation Competency
Discover the impact of Resuscitation Quality Improvement at Michigan State University Leavitt School of Health.
Quarterly, deliberate practice of resuscitation skills provides the competence nurses need to be able to effectively deliver CPR.
Kathleen Poindexter, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Nursing, Michigan State University, College of Nursing & Chair Elect, National League for Nursing
How to Effectively Implement RQI in Your Nursing Program
Successfully implementing RQI in your nursing program requires thoughtful planning, faculty engagement, and alignment with curricular outcomes. Programs are most successful when they ground their approach in current evidence, provide faculty with practical implementation guidance, and learn from peer experiences. The following resources offer research findings, expert insight, and real-world perspectives to support effective adoption and sustained integration of RQI into nursing education.
- Evidence Review: Peer‑Reviewed White Paper
Read the research: https://laerdal.com/cdn-4a781c/globalassets/documents/whitepapers/rqi-oermann-et-al.pdf
This white paper by Marilyn H. Oermann and colleagues examines outcomes of RQI implementation in nursing education, including improvements in CPR skill performance and retention. Educator Perspectives: Podcast Episode
Listen to the discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfu2uveuAVA
This podcast offers practical insights into adopting RQI in nursing programs—especially helpful for faculty and simulation leaders.Real‑World Impact: Student Save Story
Watch the story: https://youtu.be/emPfiJLwRmk
An inspiring example of how RQI training helped a student respond confidently and effectively in a lifesaving situation.
Ready to bring RQI to your program?
Take the next step toward transforming resuscitation education at your institution:
- Learn how RQI can enhance your nursing curriculum
- Access tools and guidance for seamless implementation
- Join a national movement committed to improving cardiac arrest outcomes
What is clear from these studies and other research is that CPR skills are not retained unless you practice them, and an effective way to develop and maintain these skills is by using RQI.
- Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN