Caren Lewis on Nurse Retention, Workforce Development and Building the Next Generation of Nurses
Becker’s Healthcare PodcastSummary
Hospital and health system leaders face a complex strategic agenda that includes navigating a consolidating market, managing sustainable margins amidst challenging reimbursement environments, investing in technology, and addressing workforce issues. The 14th annual CEO CFO Roundtable, hosted by Ecker, gathers over 1,500 executives and nearly 400 speakers for four days of sessions aimed at helping leaders refine their priorities and prepare for the coming year.
Karen Lewis, Senior Vice President and System Chief Nursing Executive at MultiCare Health System, shares insights from her six-month tenure in the Pacific Northwest. With a background in critical care and perioperative services, Lewis emphasizes the importance of strong nursing leadership and mentorship in improving nurse retention. MultiCare has seen a decrease in turnover rates among registered nurses, currently at 9.8%, thanks to initiatives like specialty-specific nurse residencies that foster early connections between new nurses and their leaders.
Lewis also highlights the need to address the clinical skills gap for new nursing graduates, noting that many lack experience with essential equipment. To bridge this gap, MultiCare collaborates with academic institutions to provide access to necessary resources and training. She encourages new nurses to embrace the diverse opportunities within the profession, emphasizing that nursing offers a unique blend of patient care and various career paths that can accommodate different lifestyles.
Show Notes
In this episode, Caren Lewis, Senior Vice President and System Chief Nursing Executive, MultiCare Health System, discusses strategies to improve nurse retention, strengthen nursing leadership and expand the workforce pipeline. She also shares how MultiCare is partnering with academic institutions and using flexible education pathways and specialty residencies to prepare and support new nurses.
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