Nationally, turnover rates for nurses are high during their first year of work after graduating from nursing school – from 30 to 60 percent. As these numbers show, the transition from school to work is often challenging. WellStar Kennestone Hospital is successfully reversing that trend, thanks to its New Graduate Nurse Pipeline Program.
In August 2010, WellStar Kennestone implemented a structured orientation process, specific to specialty areas. The onboarding program varies in length (from 12 to 24 weeks) depending on specialty.
According to Lisa Pruner, Pipeline nurse practice specialist, and Donna Johnson, Pipeline assistant nurse manager, three new graduate cohorts have successfully been onboarded with retention rates from 93 to 98 percent.
“Orientation times have been reduced while protecting the quality of nursing bedside training,” said Pruner.
More than $1.2 million has been saved thanks to the reduced orientation times and low turnover rates.
“Most importantly, we’ve motivated our new graduate nurses, and formed collaborative relationships with unit managers, educators, preceptors, nursing leaders and clinical nurse/nurse practice specialists,” added Pruner and Johnson.
As a result of the program’s success, WellStar Kennestone is piloting an onboarding process for experienced RNs.
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