Creating a Long-Term Care New Nurse Residency Model

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Development
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care Quality

Background:

• Healthcare reform is increasing patient flow to post-acute settings.
• Long-term care faces unprecedented registered nurse (RN) turnover rates, exceeding 50%, impacting patient outcomes and costs.
• Workforce instability in nursing is a significant concern for patient care and healthcare economics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a nurse residency program in long-term care settings to address high RN turnover.
• To align with the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing recommendations for improved nursing practice.
• To enhance workforce stability and patient outcomes in New Jersey's long-term care sector.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented a 12-month nurse residency and preceptor program.
• Program involved 37 new nurses and 37 preceptors in long-term care facilities.
• Detailed the design and implementation processes, including lessons learned.

Main Results:

• The study describes the implementation of a new nurse residency program in long-term care.
• It highlights the involvement of new nurses and preceptors in a structured 12-month program.
• Lessons learned during the program's design and rollout are documented.

Conclusions:

• Nurse residency programs are a viable strategy to combat high RN turnover in long-term care.
• Implementing such programs can contribute to a more stable and satisfied nursing workforce.
• This initiative provides a model for other long-term care facilities seeking to improve nurse retention.