Giving employees educational tools to thrive
From bedside to business office: how Ardent Health Services creates a supportive work environment by offering learning opportunities for its staff
Ardent, a 30-hospital system based in Nashville, Tenn., was interested in expanding the ways it supports its staff. In recognition of the challenges that have become commonplace throughout health care – high rates of staff burnout, widespread turnover and the costs associated with training new employees – Ardent wanted to be proactive.
In search of a solution, Ardent leadership surveyed its employees. Leadership wanted to understand what measures they could take to make sure employees had what they needed to feel supported and provide the best care possible. They learned that the majority of their employees were interested in upskilling and pathways to degree programs to advance in their careers. With this feedback in hand, Ardent turned to Strategic Education, Inc. to provide learning and training opportunities, thanks to the Strategic Education portfolio of education solutions.
Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, corporate director of clinical education at Ardent Health Services and Adele Webb, executive dean of healthcare initiatives, Strategic Education, recently discussed Ardent’s approach and how it has helped the system solve many of its staffing challenges while fostering a healthy work environment.
The state of the industry
“Nationally, we’re in the middle of a staffing crisis. According to findings from a Fortune/Deloitte survey conducted in Fall 2022, the majority of CEOs (71%) representing more than 15 industries expect talent shortages to continue in general, and nearly all (94%) expect to see talent shortages for certain roles.
“We need to think critically about how we can support our care providers and help them continue to find satisfaction in their work,” explains Webb. “Doing so can help with retention while improving patient care.”
Given this need, health systems are focusing on how they can ensure healthy, safe and thriving environments by implementing the six AACN healthy work environment standards. They include skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition and authentic leadership.
