Discuss Importance of Nursing Retention Practices

Discuss Importance of Nursing Retention Practices

Discuss Importance of Nursing Retention Practices

In a short essay, respond to the Alegent Health case. The
two questions at the end of the case should be incorporated into the response.
Use APA format (modified) and be sure to properly cite all sources used. You do
not need a cover sheet or an abstract, but be sure to put a title for your
essay, and citations per APA. Two sources required.

ALEGENT HEALTH

Alegent Health is an Omaha based non profit health care
system composed of seven hospitals with about 2,000 beds and more than 200
clinic and outpatient locations, 1,200 physicians, and over 7,500 other
employees who work throughout the organization.

Several years ago, Alegent recognized that HR issues needed
“acute care treatment.” Turnover rates of 24%, coupled with over 500
unfilled positions, were costing the firm over $15 million annually.

Four years later, the turnover rates have declined to 12%
and open positions have dropped to fewer than 100. Because of their
improvements, Alegent’s HR practices, and especially its retention successes,
won several local and national awards. Alegent was named one of the “Best
Places to Work in Omaha.” The award was based on surveys of employees that
asked about credibility, respect and fairness, pride, and camaraderie. Alegent
also received a Workforce Management’s Optimas Award in the financial impact
category for its success at recruiting and retaining key staff. Alegent is
clearly being effective with some HR activities to win all the awards.

Specifically regarding retention efforts, Alegent created an
Employee Retention Task Force whose focus was to decrease turnover and increase
employee satisfaction. The task force identified several strategies to be used.

One program illustrates how Alegent approached retention of
nurses. The Nursing Residence Program has caught national attention. Each
resident (or new nurse) is paired with an experienced nurse or “preceptor’
based on interests, personality, and so on. Also, a mentor outside the nursing
department adds support and encouragement to individuals. Nursing staff meet
monthly for training. In addition, they can visit various other departments
(pediatrics, cardiology, etc.) in which they may have career interests. Nurses
interested in management can shadow the department director to see how the
department is managed. Returning nurses who have been out of the field five or
more years are enrolled, retrained, and paired with recently finished
residents.