Nursing Needs
On-the-Job Training Increases Retention
As health-care organizations struggle amid today’s nationwide nursing shortage, many
hospitals are adapting a “grow our own strategy” to recruit and retain experienced nurses.
“We were having significant staffing issues and often relied on temporary staffing
agencies to fill our nursing positions,” says Brian Evans, CEO of Clarke County Hospital
in Osceola, Iowa. The small town of about 4,600 residents is located 40 miles south of
Des Moines. “We shifted our strategy and created a nursing residency program to
increase the quality and consistency of care while providing a better experience for
nurses joining our team.”
According to a national study, one in five new nurses quits within one year. The high
turnover rate is a major contributor to the nation’s growing shortage of nurses.
Smooth Transition
In 2007, Clarke County Hospital, part of Iowa Health System’s Community Network,
created the state’s first nursing residency program at a critical access hospital. Six nurses
have been accepted into the intense two-year Rural Health Residency Program designed
to transition new graduate nurses from basic education to independent professional
nursing practice.
“The first few years can be very difficult for nurses,” Marnie Killip, Nurse Residency
Program Coordinator, says. “Our program provides ongoing support while helping nurses
develop clinical skills through classroom and hands-on experience.”
The training includes a variety of interactive learning experiences that provide
opportunities for individuals to critically reflect on their nursing practice. Participants
also help develop quality initiatives, including a new screening tool for depression in
elderly patients.
Positive Impact
“We’ve already seen overwhelming results, and the hospital no longer relies on traveling
nurses to fill our open positions,” Evans says. “This program benefits patients, families
and our entire nursing team while preparing new nurse leaders to care for future
generations.”
For more information, visit www.clarkehosp.org or contact Marnie Killip, Nurse
Residency Program Coordinator, at (641) 342-5230 or mkillip@clarkehosp.org.