Nursing Staff Retention Program VA Requirements, Findings and Recommendations.

Nursing Staff Retention ProgramVA Requirements, Findings and Recommendations

VA Grant Requirements

• Available to CNAs and nurses• Must have credible and documented

evidence the facility is experiencing a nursing shortage

• Must develop a retention plan• Must provide evidence of 50%

matching funds

Challenges

• Inequality between job classifications• Labor support• 50% match funding from where?

Survey and Results

• Surveys sent out to homes• 158 returned• Priorities

– Diversity recognition and celebration– Wellness events– Opportunity to Continue Education– Different work schedule– Recognition for my work

• Comments

Make Work Fun

• Generation X (born 1965-76) primary workforce members– Want to enjoy technology– Can adapt to the team concept of

Millennials• Millennials (born 1977-98) are

upcoming workforce members– Want personal satisfaction– Want to enjoy their work– Want it to be a team effort

Diversity Recognition & Celebration

• Easily achievable with minimum expense

• Incorporate into program before applying for grant funding

• Involve the staff• Develop fun activities e.g. ugly tie day

Wellness Events

• Easily achievable with minimum expense.

• Incorporate into program before applying for grant funding

• Inter-agency competitions • Mini-wellness fairs

Opportunity to Continue Education

• Recertification training • CNA to LPN or RN• LPN to RN• Specialty nursing classification

Different Work Schedule

• Number 1 comment topic• Labor support and input necessary• Periodic weekends off important

Recognition For My Work

• Lowest score• Comments re: insufficient recognition

for hard work, low morale, give positive feedback instead of negative

Where Do We Go From Here?

• Communicate the survey results to the staff

• Create and implement a retention program

• Secure the 50% matching funds• Submit our program for grant funding• Share results with NASVH

Proposed Timeline

• Feb & Mar. 2010: Develop basic program

• Mar. & Apr. 2010: Implement zero-to-minimal cost categories

• March, April, (continuous): Seek funding for fed VA matching dollars

• May 2010: Develop grant application• July1 – Sept 30: Submit grant

application for next federal fiscal year

National Model

• Take to NASVH for inclusion in the webpage

• Point out regional variation and importance of local surveys

• Incorporate common themes• Provide cadre of options