LeadingAge Natasha Bryant Retention Specialist Program: Creating an Agent of Change in the Nursing Home LeadingAge Natasha Bryant

Project Significance Current retention crisis of long-term care workforce Importance of frontline caregivers in maintaining the quality of care in LTC Importance of organizational change to retention efforts

RSP Project The project tested the effects of providing a trained “Retention Specialist” in a nursing home, who has both the expertise and the ongoing support to systematically address problems of low job satisfaction and resulting turnover.

The RS Intervention RS expected to take leadership role in retention efforts RS acts as “retention advocate,” key internal consultant on retention RS to devote least 20% time to retention Typically staff development coordinator, but also can include director of nursing and administrator

Program Components Training in evidence-based retention strategies Assess specific nursing home + staff retention needs Tailor retention efforts to assessment Receive ongoing support

So, what did we find? Average CNA turnover dropped by 10% The strongest treatment effects were seen on the three general ratings of nursing home characteristics: Quality of effort to keep employees Quality of care Quality of administration The program appears to have had a stronger effect in larger versus smaller nursing homes

What programs did the Retention Specialists implement? Peer Mentoring (9 programs started or modified) Respect and recognition (6 programs started or modified) Communication Skills (4 programs started or modified) Management Changes (2 programs started or modified)

Challenges Retention challenges at every level Six of 15 (40%) nursing homes changed at least one top management person Four of 15 (27%) nursing homes changed the person assigned to be the retention specialist Variation in degree they could allocate resources for retention programs

Lessons Learned Tailor program to your community Continuous, integrated approach more effective Team approach better Needs administrative buy-in