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| Survey: New Nurses Quit Quickly |
A national survey shows about one in five newly licensed nurses quits within a year.
That turnover rate is a major contributor to the nation's growing shortage of nurses. But there are expanding efforts to give new nursing graduates better support. Many hospitals are trying to create safety nets with residency training programs.
Some experts believe the national nursing shortage could reach 500,000 by 2025, as many nurses retire and the demand for nurses balloons with the aging of baby boomers.
Nursing schools have been unable to churn out graduates fast enough to keep up with the demand, which is why hospitals are trying harder to retain them.
Some hospitals have set up their own programs to help new nurses make the transition. Often, they assign novices to more experienced nurses, whom they shadow for a few weeks or months while they learn the ropes.
Edward Hospital in Naperville has implemented such a program. Chief nursing officer Patti Ludwig-Beymer says the hospital offers tuition reimbursement and also gives away 20 scholarships. She adds that the hospital offers good benefits and compensation, which helps retain staff.
The federal government has jumped on the bandwagon. Since 2003, it has awarded $17 million in grants for 75 hospitals to start first-year training programs.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing is considering a standardized transition program. It cited a study showing a link between residencies and fewer medical errors, but also pointed to the inconsistency among current efforts.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 02 23 09 by Newsroom |
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