Nursing Innovation and Excellence - Baptist Health South Florida

Preceptors are Baptist Healthnurses who work with residents,formally tracking competencieswhile providing patient care experiencesthat enhance technicalskills, clinical knowledge andcritical thinking. Mentors — whoact as non-evaluative coaches —help the residents get theircareers off on the right track.They are someone the residentcan turn to in times of doubt andstress, as well as to celebrateprogress and accomplishments.By the end of 2009, more than400 nurses had graduated fromthe residency program, which iscredited with significantly reducingthe turnover rate of newnurses 12 months after hire.Nurse turnover has dropped from22 percent in 2006 to 10.2 percentin 2009, well below the nationalnew-nurse turnover rate forhospitals that don’t have aresidency program like Versant.Professional NurseAdvancement ProgramBaptist Health continuouslylooks for ways to improve theprocess by which nurses grow andadvance in their careers. In 2008,after a year of work, we unveiled anew advancement and compensationplan for bedside nurses calledthe Professional Nurse AdvancementProgram (PNAP). It wasintroduced to increase nursesatisfaction and retention, and todevelop nursing skills that improveclinical outcomes. PNAP ismodeled on the stages of clinicalcompetence as described bynursing researcher and theoristPatricia Benner, R.N., Ph.D.In both 2008 and 2009, more than 800 nurses attended the Robert B. Coleevening lecture and formal dinner.Center for Excellencein NursingBaptist Health’s Center forExcellence in Nursing has led theway in searching for solutions tothe global nursing shortage andestablishing a model program insupport of nursing. Since 2001,the Center has provided $11 millionin nursing education scholarshipsthrough the Nurse Scholarsprogram. Each year, the Centerholds a fundraising dinner fornurses, program graduates,donors and other supporters tocontinue its commitment toeducating new and experiencednurses.The Center was establishedat Baptist Hospital in 1988 “toimprove the quality of patientcare through innovations innursing care, nursing educationand nursing research.” The fundingbase came from a $100,000donation from Robert B. Cole,then chairman of the Board ofBaptist Hospital, who understoodthe vital role nurses play inhealthcare and wanted to empowerand reward them. Nursingleaders contributed to the fundas well, setting the tone forgiving back to their practice.By 2000, the Center hadexpanded to all Baptist Healthhospitals and affiliates. Focusingon recruiting and retaining thebest nurses, the Center promotesprofessional nursing practice andfosters professional growth inconcert with Baptist Health’snursing vision and strategic plan.Robert B. Cole DistinguishedNursing Lecture SeriesSince 1994, this event hasbeen funded with an endowmentfrom the late attorney and longtimeBaptist Health Board ofTrustees Chairman Robert B. Cole,who had a special appreciation fornurses. The lecture series is heldannually to honor Baptist Healthnurses and give them a chance tocelebrate together. Richard P. Cole,Robert B. Cole’s son and also anattorney, announced the donationof an additional $100,000 to ensurethe future of the lecture series.Evidence-based PracticeFellowship ProgramIn 2007, an Evidence-basedPractice Fellowship Program fornurses was established. It invitesbedside nurses to apply for thetwo-year fellowship, which isdesigned to develop clinicalleaders by helping them create,evaluate and implement clinicalchanges. The nurses begin byidentifying a clinical questionBAPTIST HEALTH 9 NURSING REPORT