Preparing the Next Generation of Perinatal Nurses at Hawai'i Pacific Health Perinatal Nursing Academy

Abstract

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Perinatal nursing positions are among the most critical to fill. Nationally, there exists an overall nursing shortage, whereas locally, we have a surplus of new graduate nurses. This presentation explores the innovative approaches that our organization used to enhance our ability to bridge experienced and new graduate nurses into perinatal nursing. Proposed Change To create a flow of nurses to fill the most critical nursing area positions, an extensive initiative called the nursing pipeline was established throughout Hawai‘i Pacific Health. The goals of the initiative included delivering state‐of‐the‐art training to ensure the highest quality of care and create a process in which internal registered nurses (RNs) currently holding clinical assistant positions were identified and selected for training opportunities. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation The redesigned Perinatal Nursing Academy uses a structured, validated, didactic curriculum following the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses’ (AWHONN) Perinatal Orientation and Education Program modules, integration of simulation training, and on unit precepting. Additionally, the Perinatal Nursing Academy involves a gradual introduction of topics where participants are brought to the classroom for lecture intermittently during the first 15 weeks of a 20‐week training program. This allows for delivery of content, absorption, application, and then questioning based on real‐life experience in the classroom setting. The Perinatal Nursing Academy has trained 43 labor and delivery RNs with a 98% pass rate and a 96% 2‐year retention rate. Data indicate that Academy nurses demonstrate significantly higher employee engagement scores than the general nursing population. We remain front runners in the state in getting this type of training to our nurses and addressing the community need to hire local new graduate nurses to avoid relocation to the mainland to seek employment. Implications for Nursing Practice The initiative creates a best practice approach that positions organizations to ultimately provide the best patient care using the highest trained nurses for the best outcomes while addressing the community need.