Health First has strategically developed a new nursing support concept to better assist with the quality commitment and care provided to the community. It's called the Nursing Practice Coach Model, and so far, the results have been outstanding.
Ashley Liscum, Health First Nursing Practice Coach Supervisor, said the Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) has experienced a 96 percent retention rate for nurse residents working with a Nursing Practice Coach through March 2019.
"It"s been really great feedback so far," said Liscum.
The new nursing practice coach model was developed to take the burden off of clinical preceptors and enhance the overall onboarding experience. The new program complements the well-established transition to practice nurse residency model at Health First. The coaches provide an additional level of support.
"The preceptors are taking care of a full patient assignment and then teaching these new nurses," said Liscum. "It's kind of hard to slow down and teach the fundamentals."
The new model aims to help new-to-practice nurses be a step ahead when it comes to nursing basics, and as a result, will have an immediate understanding and dedication when it comes to providing life-changing care for patients.
"The practice coach will work with them on basic clinical skills, and documentation, but simple things, too, like where to find a phone list of providers or locating supplies in the supply room," said Liscum.
The incoming nurses are also given the opportunity to work five days a week, eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, instead of the 12-hour preceptor schedule. This schedule allows for consistency and avoids long stretches between learning experiences. There are currently 10 nursing practice coaches and the model will be expanding to specialty areas such as the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) in the future.
To learn more about nursing at Health First, visit HF.org/careers.
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