As a Chief Nursing Officer with years of experience at the bedside and also mentoring young professionals, Rhonda is passionate about innovating the recruitment and retention of pediatric nurses. She speaks about best practices she’s identified and detailed initiatives Phoenix Children’s has implemented to tailor onboarding, set up new nurses for success, and drastically reduce first-year turnover.
Summary
Chief Nursing Officer Rhonda Thompson Shares Recruitment Strategies for Pediatric Nurses
Rhonda Thompson, the Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at Phoenix Children's Hospital, has years of experience at the bedside and mentoring young professionals. She is passionate about innovating the recruitment and retention of pediatric nurses and has identified best practices and detailed initiatives that Phoenix Children's has implemented to tailor onboarding and set up new nurses for success.
Redefining Nurse Culture
Thompson's top priorities in redefining nurse culture at Phoenix Children's are helping nurses develop their softer skills, providing a safe culture, listening to nurses, offering flexible schedules, and providing support for new nurses through a nurse residency program and a preceptor program.
Implementing Best Practices
As a Chief Nursing Officer, Thompson is also responsible for making sure her nurses are well trained and supported. She is part of a group that meets to discuss best practices for nursing care and has implemented a preceptor program to help new nurses learn the basics of giving feedback, mentoring, and providing care.
Advocacy and Community Health
In addition to recruitment and training strategies, Thompson believes advocacy and community health are important parts of being a nurse and should be discussed more in the field.
Reducing Turnover
Thanks to Thompson's efforts, Phoenix Children's has seen a drastic reduction in first-year turnover. Her initiatives have shown that a supportive nurse residency program and preceptor program, along with a safe culture and flexible schedules, are key factors in attracting and retaining high-quality pediatric nurses.
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This episode aired on 04/09/2023 and can be listened here.
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