The 'Parent Shift' program: incentives for nurses, rewards for nursing teams

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Management
• Healthcare Administration
• Human Resources in Healthcare

Background:

• Nurses returning to the workforce face challenges balancing home and professional commitments.
• Hospitals need innovative strategies to attract and retain nursing staff.
• Traditional nursing roles may not accommodate the needs of all nurses, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Parent Shift program in attracting and retaining nurses.
• To explore the impact of flexible scheduling on nurse reentry and retention.
• To assess the perceived benefits of the Parent Shift program on hospital staff and operations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of nurse participation in the Parent Shift program.
• Surveys and interviews with nurses who rejoined the workforce through the program.
• Interviews with nurse managers regarding the impact of Parent Shift nurses on unit dynamics.

Main Results:

• Flexible shifts were a key factor in attracting nurses back to the profession.
• Flexible scheduling significantly motivated continued participation in the program.
• Nurse managers reported reduced stressors and improved time efficiency with Parent Shift nurses present.

Conclusions:

• The Parent Shift program offers a successful model for nurse reentry and retention.
• Flexible scheduling is crucial for supporting nurses with dual home and work commitments.
• Implementing such programs can enhance overall hospital workforce efficiency and reduce staff stress.