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A comprehensive program to boost recruitment and retention

Nurse Leader Weekly, October 5, 2007

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According to Crain's Detroit Business, the St. John Health System of Detroit has successfully devised a comprehensive new nursing recruitment and retention initiative. Since its launch a year ago, the initiative has reduced turnover by 26% over 2006 rates, improved workplace satisfaction by 28% over 2006 results, and cut agency costs through the creation of an internal contingency nurse pool known as FlexChoice. FlexChoice attracted more than 200 new nurses, thus eliminating the need for the organization to rely on contract nurses and saving the system approximately $2 million in agency fees.

Furthermore, St. John established a nurse residency program to provide onsite orientation for new nurses and created a senior nurse consultant position to boost retention among senior nursing staff who cannot meet the physical demands of bedside care.

The establishment of a safe-lifting program has also reduced the physical strain experienced by nurses. By hiring "runners" to track down equipment and deliver it to those who need it, nurses who would otherwise spend up to 60% of their time gathering equipment and supplies now may spend that time focused on patient care.

Sources: Crain's Detroit Business, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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