Weiss Retention Program Overcomes High Nurse Turnover Rate

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Weiss Memorial Hospital is finding success in a healthcare system plagued by an
overall 35 to 60 percent national new nurse turnover rate. After nearly two
years of implementing a recruiting and retention program called Nurturing the
New Grad Nurse, Weiss has been able to keep 90 percent of the nurses who
"graduated" from its ranks.

"We attribute the high retention rate to the program," said Stella Hatcliffe,
R.N., M.Sc., vice president of patient care services and professional
development at Weiss. "It`s crucial that these new nurses learn in real
situations alongside their mentors."

Relationship building is a key component of the program. During the 12-week
transition period, recently hired registered nurses are paired with seasoned,
experienced nurses to help them learn the hospital setting and network with
other hospital professionals. The nurses see first-hand work flow organization,
time management and connecting with patients and families. Once a week, the new
nurses meet in the classroom for a lecture series in which they learn about the
day-to-day work of others in the hospital including physicians, pharmacists,
laboratory technicians, physical therapists, social workers and even senior
leadership.

The new nurses also engage in "reflective practice," a time in group sessions
when they share challenges they encountered on the job and how they handled
them. It gives the participants a chance to decompress, socialize and meet new
people. Most new nurse "graduates" have said they valued the connections they
made with the other nurses in their classes the most.

The program, which recruits graduates from as close as Illinois and as far as
Texas, also builds morale among Weiss`s long-standing nursing workforce. "Having
a friend at work is one of the main reasons individuals stay in their jobs,"
said Cynthia Gonzalez, R.N., nurse educator and co-organizer of the program.

Marianne Araujo, R.N., Ph.D., chief operating officer and chief nursing officer
at Weiss, says the hospital is ahead of the trend in solving the nurse retention
issue with its approach. She expects the Nurturing the New Grad Nurse program to
serve as a model for other hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide in the
years to come. "With the proper support system, fewer nurses will burn out on
the job," Araujo said. "We are proud to see that the program has proven to do so
here."

About Weiss Memorial Hospital

Weiss Memorial Hospital, founded in 1952, is affiliated with one of the nation`s
finest academic medical systems, University of Chicago Medical Center, and
provides a full range of adult health services primarily to residents on
Chicago`s North Side. Located along the lakefront, the 339-bed facility serves a
diverse patient population that benefits from technologically advanced
diagnostics and effective treatments, many times, long before they are available
elsewhere, in a comfortable, community setting. Weiss has more than 440
physicians in about 43 medical specialties and nearly 1,000 employees. For more
information, visit www.weisshospital.com.

For more information, contact:
Cushman/Amberg Communications
Karyn Odway or Katie Hasse
kodway@cushmanamberg.com
khasse@cushmanamberg.com
312-263-2500
or
For more information about Weiss, contact:
Catherine Gianaro
cgianaro@weisshospital.com
773-564-7285

Copyright Business Wire 2009