First-in-Florida Institute Tackles Local Shortage, Saves Money

Click here to view 2008 NNLI graduation photos

Boca Raton, FL—Research shows that at least 30% of new nurses leave their first nursing job within twelve months.  With an estimated cost of $40,000 to $50,000 to orient and prepare a novice nurse to become an independent, productive member of the nursing team, increased retention rates equal significant cost savings for hospitals.  The Novice Nurse Leadership Institute (NNLI), a first-in-Florida collaborative initiative, is tackling the issue with a program designed to ease transition into the workplace and increase retention in Palm Beach County hospitals and other healthcare agencies.

Founded in 2006, the NNLI is administered by the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University.  Palm Healthcare Foundation and BlueCross and BlueShield of Florida provide funding support for the NNLI.

The program celebrated the graduation of its second class on June 20, 2008.  Twenty-eight Palm Beach County novice nurses completed the year-long program to strengthen their competencies along a variety of dimensions.

The NNLI connects a broad range of nurses throughout the county from the education and practice settings to assist and support new nurses as they transition from school to the workplace, enhance their knowledge base and skill sets, and promote the value of lifelong learning and leadership in nursing.  Bi-weekly classes, a mentorship program, and evidence-based research projects are integral components of the NNLI to promote learning and leadership development, and provide support during a challenging first year on the job. 

“We have gathered data that proves the success of the NNLI,” said project director Susan Dyess, RN, MS, Ph.D (c).  A study conducted by the NNLI revealed the retention rate for graduates from NNLI’s 2007 class was 95% compared with an average institutional retention rate for novice nurses of 68.5% for  employers participating in the program over the last  two years. “Not only has the program increased retention rates, but also it has led to improvements in the quality and safety of care provided to patients in our community and the development of the next generation of nurse leaders,” said Dyess.

The 28 graduates from NNLI’s class of 2008 represented eight different healthcare organizations throughout the county: Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Boca Raton Community Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Jupiter Medical Center, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Wellington Regional Medical Center. 

Students at the graduation commented on the encouragement the novice nurses found among classmates and supporters.  “The NNLI has created a unique learning forum for both me and my fellow cohort members, fostering growth and development both professionally and personally,” said Jaime Farbiash, an NNLI graduate from Boca Raton Community Hospital.

Amy Dean, vice president of policy and workforce programs at Palm Healthcare Foundation spoke to students about carrying forward the important lessons from the NNLI experience as they move ahead in their careers.  “Maintain your spirit of shared learning, connectedness and desire to improve healthcare in our community,” said Dean. 

About Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc.
Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc. was chartered in 2001 as an independent community healthcare foundation. Believing that “Together We Can Do More,” the foundation’s mission is to transform healthcare challenges by bringing together the talents and resources of the community to create innovative solutions that deliver high-impact results. The Foundation’s funding priorities—access to healthcare, healthcare quality and safety, healthcare technology, healthcare policy and healthcare workforce—are designed to empower non-profit healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals to create programs and services that improve the quality of life for Palm Beach County’s underserved citizens.  Since 2001, the Foundation has distributed more than $20 million to over 80 non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County operating over 130 programs that met its funding goals.  To learn more about Palm Healthcare Foundation, please visit www.palmhealthcare.org.

About BlueCross Blue Shield of Florida, Generation RN

Generation RN (sm), is a public/private partnership initiated by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida to build an expanded, stable and culturally diverse nurse workforce in Florida.  Combined with state matching dollars and other private support, BCBSF-endowed scholarships fund the education or more than 200 nursing students every year.  Endowed professorships, graduate student scholarships, and support for innovative programs help ensure sustained growth in nursing.