South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative

SOUTH CAROLINA NURSE RETENTION INITIATIVE (SCNRI) www.scnurseretention.org

 

Mission:

The South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative (SCNRI) is helping to combat the growing nurse shortage facing Beaufort and Jasper Counties. While the need for nurses has been critical over the past few years, with tens of thousands of residents expected to join our communities over the next few years, the growing nurse shortage is taking on a new urgency. Our program, housed at the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, offers a financial incentive to nurses who remain employed in Beaufort and Jasper County, and was created to help us improve our healthcare system – both now, and as our population continues to rise in record numbers. We desperately need additional nurses to care for our growing population.

 

Background:

There is a Healthcare crisis in our local communities. The number of Nurses is inadequate. The shortage has been widely known for many years and is projected to worsen.

The population is exploding and so is our need for nurses. The latest data projects that the Hardeeville population is projected to more than triple from 10,000 in 2023 to 35,000, and the Town of Bluffton will grow from 35,000 in 2020 to 66,000.

Lowcountry hospitals and healthcare facilities are facing a serious nurse shortage, with over 100 unfilled RN positions on the Island and over 500 within a 25-mile radius.

By increasing the number of nurses on staff in local primary care settings we can ensure that each patient receives the care they need.

Addressing the nurse shortage benefits the ENTIRE population of Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

Health care improvement benefits ALL segments of our population.

All of us, our families, children and friends will benefit from an improvement in health care.

One nurse will care for an average 6,000 to 8,000 patients per year

Studies show that increasing the staffing levels has a direct impact on the quality of patient care and patient outcomes.

 

With additional nurses and improved nurse to patient ratios:

• Fewer medication errors

• Lower patient mortality

• Shorter hospital stays

• Lower patient care costs associated with readmission

• Increased patient satisfaction

 

Program

To attract nurses to our area and then keep nurses from leaving the area, the South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative offers a unique “post-graduation” Stipend in return for a work commitment – providing up to $12,000 (BSN) and $6,000 (ADN) over two years based on merit, dedication to the nursing profession, financial need, educational mobility and commitment to practice in Beaufort or Jasper Counties

 

Accomplishments

In two years since our start up in Sept 2021 we have added 34 nurses to the Retention program with plans to add 20-25 more in 2024.

This already represents a total investment in our nurse workforce in excess of $460,000.

5 nurses were recently added HH Island which represents a significant step in the right direction for Health Care improvement on the Island.

 

We are thanking the nurses for their service and helping them to become financially stable in order to remain within our Counties.

Support from Government and individuals within the community demonstrates that this Nurse shortage is an important issue we face and something that needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner.

The program has demonstrated its ability to BOTH attract and retain.

Many nurse graduates are applying from colleges over 100 miles away.

The program has achieved a 97 % nurse retention rate.

Recent Survey of all recipients indicated that 100 percent are influenced to stay because of the program even though they have had job offers outside our Counties.

 

Impact

The program is making a difference to the availability and quality of health care and to the individuals and their families on the program.

 

Recipients

We have a wonderful group of nurses who are caring for us every day. Bios of the 2023 SCNRI nurse recipients can be viewed here: 2023 Recipients - South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative (scnurseretention.org)

The Numbers Are In: Recent hospital data shows the SCNRI’s positive impact on Lowcountry’s healthcare centers

In recent years, the South Carolina Lowcountry has been grappling with a significant nursing shortage, posing a threat to Beaufort and Jasper County’s hospitals. The South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative (SCNRI) was founded in 2021 to provide local primary care nurses with financial support so they could continue living and working in the Lowcountry. Since then, we’ve helped over 34 recent BSN and ADN grads start and advance their careers locally. Our program has been instrumental in addressing the nursing deficit and improving patient care in Beaufort County and Jasper County, South Carolina, as proven by recent data from the area’s largest healthcare center.

 

The Data Speaks Volumes

Russell Baxley, CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital, has provided some compelling statistics that underscore the positive impact of SCNRI. These numbers reveal promising trends.

● RN Hires on the Rise: Year over year, the number of registered nurse (RN) hires has consistently increased. This signifies that more nurses are joining the healthcare workforce in the region.

● RN Resignations Decreasing: In contrast to the growing number of hires, the rate of RN resignations has been steadily decreasing. This is a critical factor in retaining experienced nursing staff.

● Turnover Normalizing: Turnover rates in the healthcare industry were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are now returning to pre-pandemic levels. This indicates a stabilization of the nursing workforce.

● Agency RN Usage Decreasing: During the height of the pandemic, healthcare facilities relied heavily on agency nurses. Thankfully, this dependency is decreasing as traditional employment opportunities become more attractive to nurses.

● Patient Satisfaction Rebounding: Patient satisfaction is a key metric in healthcare. The good news is that patient satisfaction has

returned to pre-COVID levels, indicating that the quality of care is being maintained.

Karen Carroll, CNO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Weighs In

Karen Carroll, Chief Nursing Officer at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, emphasizes that these impressive numbers are the result of a multifaceted approach to workforce development. While SCNRI is undoubtedly a pivotal piece of the puzzle, several other strategies have contributed to these successes:

● Pay and Benefits Improvements: Addressing nurse compensation and benefits has made working at BMH more attractive to RNs.

● Supportive Services: Providing daycare and assistance with housing helps ease the daily challenges that nurses face, making their lives more manageable.

● International Recruitment: Expanding the talent pool by recruiting internationally has been crucial in filling nursing positions.

● The PATH Program: This program has increased the availability of ancillary support for nurses, reducing their workload and stress.

● Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Coordinator: Employing a dedicated coordinator for employee wellbeing and engagement has contributed to nurse satisfaction and retention.

● Job Fairs and Internal Recognition Programs: These efforts create a positive work environment and recognize nurses for their hard work.

● SCNRI’s Contribution: SCNRI has played a vital role in improving retention rates.

Joel Taylor, CEO of Tenet Healthcare, Acknowledges the Impact

Joel Taylor, CEO of Tenet Healthcare, acknowledges the significant progress made in the healthcare system and notes that while it's challenging to establish a direct correlation, SCNRI is unquestionably one of the variables positively impacting the situation.

While the facts above are testaments to the positive impact our organization has had on the Lowcountry’s healthcare centers, we’re not done yet. We’re relying on the support of friends,

neighbors, and community members like you to help us further our mission to retain top nursing talent in the Lowcountry. Together, we can provide recent nursing graduates with up to $12,000 (BSN) or $6,000 (ADN) over a 2-year period.

The South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative has already been shown to be having a significant impact on retaining nurses here in the Lowcountry both now – and in the future.

Of the 23 nurses currently in the program, when asked to what extant will the SCNRI program will influence their decision to remain employed in Beaufort or Jasper County or on Hilton Head Island, 13 of the nurses in the program (57%) responded that the SCNRI program is a “Significant factor” in remaining employed as a nurse in Beaufort/Jasper/HHI. In addition, the remaining 10 nurses also responded that the SCNRI program will have “Somewhat” of an extent in their decision to remain employed as a nurse in the region.

We are demonstrating that the program is helping our nurses to remain in our local area despite the salary differentials and higher cost of living. Nurses in our program indicate that they feel appreciated, motivated and valued by the community – with many indicating that they have received offers to move but the program is the reason they are staying.

Here are just some ways SCNRI is making a difference – and having a positive impact both on the lives of the nurses in our program, as well as having a positive impact on our local health care system by working to combat the critical, and growing, nurse shortage in our area.

“The SCNRI was a large part of the reason I am choosing to remain in Beaufort County. With the cost of living on the rise, the extra funds are extremely helpful, especially as a mom raising two children.”

“I have been able to use the scholarship to make up for the difference in the cost of living here when compared to other places and that has allowed me to stay.”

“As resident of Beaufort County, I desire to see those around me live healthier lives. I am honored to take care of those in my community first. I had many offers to work outside of my community but I chose not to.”

“This scholarship has influenced my decision to stay at Beaufort Memorial for the full 2 years of employment. It has been difficult to keep up with the cost of living in Beaufort County but this scholarship has assisted me in paying my student loans.”

“It highly impacts my decision to remain employed in the area every single day. I appreciate the money off course! But beyond that, the way you handle the program and the way you include us nurses in fundraising events and advertising opportunities continues to strengthen our relationship with the population we serve as health professionals. This is something very special to me and I think this is what makes SCNRI something that is so much more than just a scholarship or a retaining bonus. You and your team are doing an excellent job and I am so proud and thankful to be a part of this amazing program.”