PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mentors create path for nursing excellence WELLSTAR CENTER FOR NURSING EXCELLENCE New mentoring program helps nurses reach their personal and professional goals with the guidance and support of experienced colleagues.
The Center for Nursing Excellence took an exciting step by launching three Nursing Mentorship Programs designed to help nurses at all roles and career stages reach their personal and professional goals. The first initiative was the Wellstar RN Resident Mentoring Program. Nearly 400 RNs join the system annually and a professional mentoring relationship is essential. New nurses need the ongoing guidance of an experienced professional who can help them address challenges. Nurse residents say these positive mentoring relationships have helped boost their confidence and job satisfaction.
The Nurse Leader Pilot Mentoring program pairs a small number of mentors and mentees, with a goal to evaluate the impact of evidence-based practice interventions and resources on patient experience and satisfaction, and on nurses’ growth and development. The Clinical Nurse Mentoring Program for LPNs and RNs creates nurse mentoring relationships across service lines, hospitals and the Wellstar Medical Group. It seeks to strengthen nurse connections, while boosting knowledge, practice and pride. More than 100 mentors and mentees have benefited from these efforts. n
CREATIVE INNOVATIONS New protocol succeeds in reducing patient falls WELLSTAR WEST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER Gaining a better understanding of a patient’s mobility status contributed to a safer, shorter hospital stay for patients at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.
Matt Tyler, MSN, RN, CNL, CV-BC, implemented a successful mobility initiative on the 6S Medical- Surgical unit at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. Matt developed a mobility protocol based on individualized nursing assessments. It provides consistency on how a patient’s mobility is documented and assessed, making it possible to compare a patient’s baseline mobility with their status during hospitalization. This prevents worsening mobility during their hospital stay. Wellstar’s West Georgia team reviewed existing mobility protocols and educated staff on the plans. After implementing these enhancements in training
and communication, the unit saw a significant improvement in patient outcomes. Impressively, the number of patient falls declined by 50%, suggesting that the focus on mobility contrib- uted to a safer environment. Also, the rate of patients requiring rehab upon discharge decreased
50% reduction in the number of patient falls in the unit
by 6% and patients experienced a shorter average length of stay, indicating that more patients retained or improved their mobility while in the hospital. These initiatives provided a lasting, positive impact on patient care. n
27 | 2024 NURSING REPORT
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