Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1444893
Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center | 11 H ospitals all around the country are facing a critical staffing shortage, especially in nursing. In addition to the usual challenges of attracting the best talent available, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a greater need for nurses. Adding to the problem, many health care workers are experiencing burnout on the job, and others are taking early retirement. Providence St. Mary Medical Center is working diligently to address this issue. One of our best opportunities to help meet the demand is the highly acclaimed Transition into Practice (TIP) Nurse Residency and Fellowship Program. The program was created in 2016 to offer nurses the opportunity for career advancement. The unique 12-week course accepts newly graduated nurses as well as experienced nurses who are looking to move into a new specialty. While undergoing this standardized training, the nurse graduates receive a full RN salary. Three years ago, the program was awarded a designation of excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. GALA TO KICK OFF 'TIP' FUNDRAISER John Kozyra, the hospital's chief philanthropy officer, is keenly focused on the professional program and is organizing a fundraising effort through the Providence St. Mary Foundation. "We are looking at hiring three times as many TIP nurses in 2022 as we have in the past," says Kozyra. The campaign to raise money for TIP will kick off at the foundation's annual gala, scheduled for March. It's a special year for the foundation as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. "I can't think of a better goal in the coming year than to support our dedicated nurses by improving and expanding this program," Kozyra adds. Marilyn Drone, the chief nursing officer at St. Mary, knows firsthand about dedication. Born and raised in the High Desert, Drone graduated from nursing school here and has served in the profession for 41 years. She's proud of the collaborative, patient-centered care emphasized in the TIP program, seeing it as a strong recruiting tool. That said, the hospital is continually searching for new opportunities to help train and retain more nurses in the area. "We're looking for ideas like working with local colleges to assist with potential scholarships for nursing students who commit to work at St. Mary Medical Center and support our community. Other incentives are being looked at as well," says Drone. In the near future, Drone believes the site of the new hospital, which is proposed for Victorville, could make it easier to recruit. Since it will be closer to the Cajon Pass, it will be a more accessible location for potential staff members and physicians. In the meantime, Kozyra says he hopes endeavors such as the new fundraising campaign will strengthen valuable resources like the TIP program and attract new nurses to the hospital. "The nurses at St. Mary will be one of the foundation's top priorities in 2022," he says. "We are excited about making this investment in TIP and invite everyone in the community to participate in the effort." The TIP programs are offered three times a year, in winter, spring and fall. For information about applying, visit providence.org/locations/ providence-ca-nursing-institute. Attracting the Best and Brightest A valuable training program is a big draw for both new and experienced nurses.