FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2003
CONTACT: Lori VanZanten, Providence St. Peter Hospital, 360-493-4555
Gail Stewart, Providence Centralia Hospital, 360-330-8534
Traci Blake, Public Relations, 360-493-7245
Providence Hospitals Receive $95,000 Grant for Nurse Retention Project
OLYMPIA—Providence St. Peter Hospital has received a $95,000 grant from the Washington Health Foundation to implement a nursing liaison program at its facility and at Providence Centralia Hospital.
In September 2002, Washington Health Foundation received a $1 million appropriation from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to implement the Comprehensive Nursing Retention Demonstration Project. The project aims to improve retention rates of registered nurses (RNs) working in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in Washington state.
The Foundation, in turn, awarded grants to seven organizations to implement programs that support the goal of reducing nursing turnover. Sandy Penland, RN, was hired as the nursing liaison for Providence St. Peter Hospital and Providence Centralia Hospital. Penland will help orient and support new nurses, develop a program for nursing mentors, and promote leadership development and educational opportunities.
"We have many outstanding nurses at Providence and need to find new ways to keep these valuable employees," said Penland. "My goal is to create programs that will enhance nurses’ relationships with their peers and physicians."
Job dissatisfaction is a primary reason cited for nurse retention problems in Washington and across the U.S. According to the Washington State Hospital Association, Washington state has a 10 percent nursing vacancy. Washington is not alone. The entire nation is experiencing a nursing shortage.
Providence St. Peter Hospital has a 5.2 percent RN vacancy rate, with 16 RN positions available. Providence Centralia Hospital has a 2.6 percent vacancy rate, with five RN positions currently open.
Providence St. Peter Foundation secured the grant for the hospital. In 2002, more than half a million dollars was received from grant sources to support the Providence mission. The Foundation raised more than $1.7 million in total charitable gifts last year.
Providence St. Peter Hospital, founded by the Sisters of Providence in 1887, is a not-for-profit, 390-bed hospital serving the five-county South Sound region with comprehensive medical, surgical and mental health services. Providence Centralia Hospital is a not-for-profit, 191-bed hospital serving Lewis County with comprehensive medical, surgical and educational services.
The Washington Health Foundation connects health care providers, policy leaders and the people of Washington to a healthier tomorrow through innovative programs, grants and policy leadership.
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