Integrating Retired Registered Nurses Into a New Graduate Orientation Program.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Clinical Mentorship

Background:

• New graduate nurse (NGN) attrition is a significant challenge in the first year of employment.
• Exit interviews identified communication issues and lack of support as primary reasons for NGN turnover.
• A standardized residency program did not fully address these critical issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decrease NGN attrition in a rural community hospital's first year of employment.
• To enhance communication skills and provide additional mentoring for NGNs.
• To address identified issues of communication problems and perceived lack of support.

Main Methods:

• Implemented an innovative program integrating retired nurses, Volunteer Nurse Ambassadors (VNAs), into the existing Versant Residency Program.
• VNAs provided direct mentoring and support to NGNs.
• A clinical nurse specialist-led team developed and oversaw the VNA integration.

Main Results:

• Achieved 100% retention of NGNs mentored by VNAs, a significant increase from the previous 37.5% retention rate.
• Both NGNs and VNAs reported high value in the mentor-mentee relationships.
• No critical incidents or failure-to-rescue events occurred involving NGNs under VNA mentorship.

Conclusions:

• Volunteer Nurse Ambassadors (VNAs) effectively support new graduate nurses (NGNs) during their transition to the staff nurse role.
• This mentorship program can prevent early-career attrition by providing crucial support.
• Integrating experienced retired nurses enhances the NGN experience and hospital retention rates.