WEST PALM BEACH, FL- Studies show that nearly three out of five new nurses leave their first nursing job within two years. Odds like these can be costly especially in Palm Beach County where there is a serious nursing shortage.
The newly launched Novice Nurse Leadership Institute aims to improve the odds by increasing job satisfaction and individual success through an innovative mentoring and workshop program.
Made possible through a unique collaboration of Palm Healthcare Foundation, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the Workforce Alliance, the Institute addresses two critical issues that have been identified by nurse leaders and other nursing stakeholders in Palm Beach County.

"The first is the transition gap between nursing education and entry level practice - a transition for which new nurses are often inadequately prepared," said Amy Dean, PHF's Director of Healthcare Workforce Policy and Development.

"This transition creates many challenges for new nurses as they attempt to function safely and effectively in the healthcare workplace environment. Research shows that 30% of new nurses leave their first nursing job within twelve months and 57% within two years. This exacerbates the current and intensifying nursing shortage, including in Palm Beach County," said Dean.

The second issue is the critical need to develop the next generation of nurse leaders at all levels of practice. The Institute tackles both of these important issues and creates the potential for meaningful and enduring change," she said.

Central to the program's success is the participation of employers and educators with support from the public and private sectors. "New nurses enter a demanding workplace where they become responsible for helping restore and protect the health and well-being of patients. Their success hinges in part on the ability to adapt to their work environment," said Catherine Kelly, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida's Vice President for Public Affairs, Signature Programs. We are pleased to join in this public-private partnership that provides a new and innovative level of support for nurses," she said.

The Institute, which has received funding of $185,000 to cover its first year of operation, will offer a one-year program of workshops, activities and leadership initiatives for 25 nurses in their first year of practice at healthcare facilities throughout Palm Beach County. The aim is to ease the transition into the profession, increase the nurses' knowledge base and encourage the pursuit of higher levels of nursing education. The Institute will be housed at the Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of nursing and undergraduate credit will be offered to all associate degree nurses and graduate-level credit will be offered to nurses with their Bachelor of Science degrees.
"Workforce Alliance as a principle partner in the Novice Nurse Leadership Institute, Workforce Alliance shares the objective of significantly improving the retention and recruitment of healthcare professionals. We are committed to establishing partnerships resulting in workforce programs to help Palm Beach County businesses achieve even greater success" said Kathryn Schmidt, Workforce Alliance President/CEO.

Employers of Institute participants will integrate Institute activities into their core job responsibilities. They have also committed to supporting these novice nurses through a mentoring program and by providing leadership opportunities within their organizations, Dean said.

Mary Weeks, Chief Nursing Officer, Glades General Hospital said, "This is a great way to open the eyes of nursing management to understand how to make the nursing environment better."

"We recognize that the gap between nursing education and entry level practice may be even more challenged by the growing number of culturally diverse populations that access the healthcare system today. There is a growing need for culturally competent care, which is why Allegany Franciscan Ministries has partnered with Palm Healthcare to provide resources," said Regional Vice President, Eric Kelly.

Katie Bick, of Jupiter Medical Center, said, "I graduated in December and began working in the ICU. It is a tremendous reality shock! I have learned about so many nursing positions in the hospital that I never even knew existed. This provides me a great opportunity to explore opportunities in nursing I never even knew existed."

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As the leading public healthcare foundation in Palm Beach County, the Foundation builds strong community relationships, respects diverse opinions and supports non-traditional approaches to difficult healthcare challenges. For more information, please visit the website at www.palmhealthcare.org or call 561-833-6333.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries is a Catholic Foundation guided by the mission and rooted in the tradition and vision of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. It is a catalyst for systemic change by committing resources and working collaboratively with others to promote physical, mental, spiritual, societal and cultural well-being in communities served. For more information, please call 561-491-0821 or visit the website at www.franciscanfdn.org.

A leader in Florida's health care industry for more than 60 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF) and its subsidiaries serve 8.3 million+ members. With a diverse workforce of 9,000, BCBSF advances the health and well-being of all Floridians. Through Generation RN, a strategic philanthropy initiative, the company is addressing the critical need for 61,000 more nurses by 2020. BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on BCBSF, please visit its web site at www.bcbsfl.com.

Workforce Alliance, Inc. is chartered by the State to craft and oversee a workforce development system that is responsive to the needs of both employers and job seekers in Palm Beach County. Workforce Alliance offers three Career Centers conveniently located in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Belle Glade. Employers and job seekers can obtain additional information by calling 1-800-556-JOBS (5627) or online at www.pbcalliance.com.