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says Matocha . “ Some of those clinicians were pulled to the bedside and have stayed there due to tremendous turnover .”
The best way to onboard new nurses ? Assess what they know and don ’ t know — before they start .
• Provide pre-employment materials . Give new nurses materials such as policies and procedures , employee handbooks and information about the healthcare facility ’ s culture and mission . These materials can help familiarize them with the healthcare facility and its expectations .
• Provide orientation materials . Help nurses get started with orientation materials such as a handbook or a virtual tour of the facility .
• Offer virtual onboarding sessions . These meetings can provide an opportunity for nurses to ask questions and connect with other staff members .
• Connect new nurses with a mentor : Are there experienced nurses who can provide guidance ? If they ’ re stretched too thin , consider pairing new hires with veteran certified nursing assistants as a start .
• Provide access to online training modules . Give new nurses access to online training modules related to pressure injury , CLABSI prevention , CAUTI prevention , hand hygiene , and other topics . These modules can be completed before the nurse ’ s first day on the job .
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plier . Some companies offer free remote learning opportunities , and many of the courses count for continuing education credit .
“ When new nurses are able to complete some educational training before their first day , it gives them more time for specific orientation ,” says Matocha .
4 . Implement flexible scheduling for nurses Consider using variable staffing grids that can be adjusted daily or weekly based on patient census and acuity . This allows for better allocation of nurses to areas with the greatest need .
Are you able to offer part-time schedules ? Job sharing ? Compressed workweeks or rotating shifts ? How about float pools ?
These groups of experienced nurses are available to step in and provide support during periods of high patient volumes , staffing shortages or unexpected absences . Float pools :
• Fill immediate staffing needs . Float pool nurses are ready to be deployed to units experiencing staffing shortages or unexpected increases in patient volume . This rapid response helps prevent situations where patient care might be compromised due to insufficient staffing .
• Support continuity of care . These nurses are usually
If it ’ s not possible to provide online training , consider partnering with your medical supexperienced
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and familiar with various clinical areas . This expertise allows them to step in seamlessly and provide care without compromising patient safety or quality .
• Help reduce burnout . When regular nursing staff are consistently stretched thin due to high patient
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loads , it can lead to increased stress and burnout . Float pool nurses can help alleviate this burden , giving regular staff an opportunity to recharge and reducing the risk of errors due to fatigue .
When implementing flexible scheduling options , remember to
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