Nurse leaders share creative workforce strategies

In a panel designed to offer workforce solutions, four nurse executives detailed programs at their organizations at AONL 2022. One example came from Atrium Health Medical Group based in Charlotte, N.C., Colleen Hole, MHA, Atrium vice president of clinical integration and chief nurse executive, said in response to the looming capacity crisis, Atrium applied for federal waivers to treat hospital inpatients in their homes. After caring for 4,800 patients offsite, the health system is now looking for additional ways to use the program to facilitate its journey to value-based care. Amy Wilson, DNP, RN, senior vice president of Nursing Center of Excellence at Ascension, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., instituted an internal travel nursing program. Laura Vasquez, BSN, RN, director of telenursing and population health at Moore County Hospital District, said the 25-bed critical access hospital in Dumas, Texas, started a remote patient monitoring program that now serves patients needing chronic care management. Tinamarie Estes, DNP, RN, director of nursing at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Penn., introduced a team-based care model that reduced nurses’ workload, raised morale and improved care quality at the bedside. In a wide-ranging conversation, the panelists stressed the importance of professional governance and obtaining staff buy-in when implementing change.