Leading the Way : A Year of Team Growth and Development
Mentorship , leadership and clinical advancement play a vital role in Children ’ s Hospital Colorado ’ s Division of Patient Care Services . By valuing and investing in new and existing team members , we not only improve retention and employee purpose — we also create a better experience for patients and families overall . The stories below highlight some key efforts of our Patient Care Services team in creating a culture that prioritizes skill development , human-centered leadership and a more meaningful workplace for all .
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit ( CICU ) Fresh Hearts nurse mentorship program
As the Children ’ s Colorado cardiac intensive care unit ( CICU ) began recruiting many new team members , they created a nurse mentorship program that increases nurse retention and clinical competency at the bedside . The goal was to invest in nurses , which in turn reflects our commitment to patients and their families .
The new mentorship model encourages existing team members to step into unit leadership roles by coaching new team members and engaging in department growth . Newer nurses are provided with extra support throughout their first year , when turnover potential is at its peak and support is needed most . As nurses gain more exposure to the cardiac population , they ’ re more likely to advance on the evidence-based novice-expert continuum of Dr . Patricia Benner , a key theory for understanding nurse professional development .
A department-based mentorship committee was formed and together they set project goals , decided on mentorship structure and implemented and revised the project . Mentors and mentees agreed to meet once per month for six months . The mentee developed two goals , one of which related to critical care / CICU competency . The mentorship pairs were designated one committee member to serve as a liaison that could assess progress at various points in the process . Both mentees and mentors completed a survey with questions regarding job satisfaction , support and resiliency . Another survey was sent after the program ended .
All participants stated that they would recommend the program to others , citing the top four benefits as receiving and giving wise advice , having a safe space to express their practice , friendship and professional advancement . Yet , it is also the focal outcome measure of retention that shows resultant behavior , with sustained 100 % retention of clinical nurses within their first two years in the unit .
MACKENZIE JACKSON , BSN , RN , CCRN
Clinical Nurse IV , Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
MICHELLE JANTZEN , DNP , RN , ACCNS-P , CPN
Clinical Nurse Specialist , The Heart Institute
REBECCA OLSEN , BSN , RN , CPN
Clinical Education Specialist , Cardiac Progressive Care Unit
AMELIA WIRTH , MSN , RN , CCRN
Clinical Practice Specialist , The Heart Institute
MEGHAN WORLEY-MORSE , BSN , RN , CCRN
Clinical Nurse IV , Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
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2023 PCS Annual Report