Nursing is changing, and CommonSpirit Health is changing with it.
Since taking over Utah hospitals in May 2023, they’ve seen nurse turnover drop month after month because of a year-long residency program that gives new nurses the support they need.
The big picture:
CommonSpirit partners with local nursing schools to bring in fresh talent, then provides these newcomers with structured mentoring and training.
“We have a really robust nurse residency program that is designed for a one-year span,” says Katie Flores, Market VP Nursing & CNO. “That is taking any of the new graduates or nurses that have less than one year of experience and putting them through a partnership with our regional education teams along with specialty educators.”
This approach helps nurses succeed while addressing the changing career landscape.
Why it matters:
“Nursing has changed. The days of working on a medical floor for two years or five years minimum before you can go to ICU, or into a specialty area has changed,” Flores explains.
Today’s nurses want options and flexibility earlier in their careers – and CommonSpirit is adapting to meet those expectations.
The bottom line:
The investment is paying off. “We have seen month over month a decline in our turnover rate,” Flores shares. “A lot of that is attributed to the incredible organization that is centered around caring for the caregivers, and all the physical and financial investment that has gone into our facilities.”
By supporting new nurses while embracing career flexibility, CommonSpirit is building a more stable workforce where both patients and nurses benefit.