Nursing Workforce

Mississippi Nurse Residency Program
Dreyfus Health Foundation
Posted: 09-19-2008

Description
The Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce(ONW) has formed partnerships with hospitals
and schools of nursing in different areas of
Mississippi to plan and implement the Mississippi Nurse Residency Program. This initiative was supported by federal grant # D6HP05241 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. ONW, in collaboration with service and education partners, has developed and implemented a model residency program for the recent graduate nurse to build upon education and clinical experiences, and facilitate the transition from student to practicing nurse. The six month residency program offers educational and clinical opportunities within an acute care hospital setting under the guidance of the Hospital Residency Coordinator in addition to preceptors trained by ONW staff.

The development of the Mississippi Nurse Residency Program has resulted in a model available for replication in Mississippi hospitals who may be experiencing high registered nurse vacancy and turnover rates, or a facility that simply desires to enhance the transition from graduation to practice. Grant funds provide a Residency Coordinator and administrative support to participating institutions in the first year of operation. Participating institutions commit to continuing the Residency Program and becoming self-sufficient by the third year of operation. To date, with grant funds, ONW has assisted with the program implementation in four hospitals: River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg; Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville; Northwest Mississippi Medical Center in Clarksdale, and Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, Mississippi.

In 2007, Mississippi hospitals reported nurse vacancy rates at 8.7% with an average turnover rate in 2007 of 18.8%. Turnover among new graduates remains higher than that of the nursing staff as a whole. Studies show that the turnover rate among new graduates is 53% within 12 months of employment (Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA), February, 2004).

Preparing the new graduate to enter the workplace is an important step in addressing retention and patient safety. Growing evidence supports competent nurses as indispensable to patient safety. Critical thinking, efficient problem-solving skills, collaboration, and excellent communicable skills are paramount to the process. (Journal of Professional Nursing, May, 2004). Studies also show that work environment and content have a strong relationship with job satisfaction (JONA, January 2004). The program gives the new graduate an opportunity to bridge the gap between school and work resulting in increased job satisfaction, retention, and higher quality, safer patient care.

Expected results of the residency program include reduced vacancy rates, reduced turnover rates, increased patient satisfaction, and competent and prepared new graduates. The hospitals participating in the program through the grant report the following results:

1.Savings of over $4 million through elimination of agency and travel nurses
2.Savings of over over $1.1 million through decrease in turnover of nurses.

Both of these factors can be attributed to the residency program as well as aggressive retention programs.

3.Reduction of vacancy rate by 47%
4.Reduction of turnover rate by 10%
5.Patient satisfaction increased by up to 10%
6.80% of the residents completed the program with a high satisfaction rating.

If you would like additional information on this program or other statewide initiatives, please visit the Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce website at www.monw.org.