Nurse Leaders

(Above) The Baxter Regional Medical Center team celebrates earning Magnet status.

(Left) Helping new RNs gain a sense of belonging is the thought behind a new onboarding program at National Park Hospital.

Innovation and Recruitment

Lead Nursing Changes

By Katie Lea, President, Arkansas Organization of Nurse Leaders

It goes without saying that the past two years have been incredibly difficult. In the health care field specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a shift within our care strategies and our recruitment and retention efforts. While it is certain that COVID brought tumultuous times, the pandemic also brings great resiliency to the forefront in the nursing profession. Some of the most resilient Nurse Leaders display compassion, innovation, and are inspiring members of the nursing community. First, innovation is playing a significant role in the success of care delivery during the pandemic. With limited resources including personnel, supplies, and the loss of families at the bedside, Nurse Leaders are adapting and innovating in ever-changing circumstances. Along with limited resources, Nurse Leaders also struggle with the lack of nursing students in our facilities due to COVID-19 restrictions. This not only impacts our recruitment efforts, but it also lessens hands-on experience for the novice nurse.

As we all know, the development of preceptors and the onboarding of novice RNs is an essential transitory period in the nursing field. But with turnover in staff and utilization of agency personnel, the past two years have been difficult for those transitioning into practice. COVID restrictions are causing us to re-think ways of bringing up new staff so they have a greater sense of belonging. Lisa Wallace, Chief Nursing Officer at National Park Hospital in Hot Springs, partnered with Trumont to bring a different approach to onboarding through an apprenticeship program. As the hospital’s new Chief Nursing Officer, Lisa first identified strong, developing preceptors and then offered a seamless transition to practice that supported clinical excellence, leadership, and organizational culture. "On many levels, our staff, as well as the patients they may be caring for, are hurting and broken,” Lisa says. “Now, more than ever, I am mindful of supporting the teams I lead on a multitude of levels. This program provides a foundation for professional development of existing staff as preceptors and provides a strong support network for novice nurses. Successful recruitment and, especially, retention, are key to stabilization of nursing as a profession. It is vital that organizations create innovative ways to both recruit and retain our teams for the health care field to continue its growth.”

While recruitment numbers are important, it's also about who we're recruiting. When Nurse Leaders were faced with exhaustion during the pandemic, they continued to demonstrate compassion. For our team, and for many

others, this was most often displayed through resiliency.

Trenda Ray, Chief Nursing Officer at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), led new programs that emphasized the well-being of nurses with courses in relaxation and mindfulness. As Trenda created and offered dedicated spaces for team members to decompress, she championed the mental health and physical renewal of her staff. Trenda's leadership emphasized that while so many nurses take care of others, their own mental and physical health must remain a priority.

When looking at the profession, we have identified ways to share our inspirational stories of healing and hope. One goal of ArONL is to support Nurse Leaders through professional development and promote leadership and collaboration.

When I think of those who exhibit exemplary displays of leadership and collaboration, many inspirational Nurse Leaders come to mind. One facility that I find particularly inspiring is Baxter Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Mountain Home. The facility received Magnet designation in 2021, during a pandemic! What an accomplishment! As a community hospital, this was achieved without a consultant and as a first-time designee. "Any time we had issues or deficiencies, the team of leaders and clinical nurses met to resolve the situation,” says Susan Musgrave, Director of Ambulatory Clinical Nursing at BRMC. “As leaders, we trusted their abilities and teamwork to promote excellent patient care for every patient, every time." In reflecting on the past two years and how the health care field is shifting, it's evident that innovation and recruitment efforts are at the forefront. With the work of Lisa Wallace, Trenda Ray, and the success of Baxter Regional Medical Center, these people and facilities, among many others, are leading the way into the future of nursing where compassion and care are of the utmost importance.