Nurses prospering in Florida and Gulf Coast Ministry Market

Communication And Development Of Leaders Are Elements Of Success

Listening and responding to the voices of clinicians is key to the way healthcare is delivered in the Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast Ministry Market. Associates regularly recommend Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast as a place to work, and leaders say it comes down to listening.

DEVELOP NURSE LEADERS, RETAIN NURSES

“We have seen a lot of rehires and people telling their friends to come work for us,” said Terrie Fontenot, Chief Nursing Officer, Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast. “We’ve focused on leadership development, and associates are choosing us and staying with us due to our leaders. We’ve tried to create an environment where nurses can thrive.”

Terrie said one of her approaches to recruitment and retention is to consider the clinicians who leave as alumni and welcome them back when they want to return. She said leaders appreciate the knowledge nurses gain and they’ve created an open environment that associates enjoy.

“Ascension is a welcoming and collaborative culture,” said Shelley Doodeman, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Operations, a new manager in the market. “There is true servant leadership in the Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast Ministry Market, and I think that attracts nurses.”

Developing leaders is intentional and ongoing in the Ministry Market, with teams of associates ready and eager to support and train new managers as they transition from bedside care to leadership roles. A Google Classroom with onboarding materials offers tools, and nurse leader town halls build skills in a discussion format.

“We put our arms around those new leaders to give them additional attention and to grow their skills,” Terrie said. “We believe that those leaders, if they are truly listening to and responding to the voices of those we serve, will be successful.”

Listening Is Key

In every initiative leaders in the Ministry Market take on, listening and responding to nurse voices takes center stage. Their work on Ascension’s ABIDE (Appreciation - Belongingness - InclusivityDiversity - Equity) framework is focused on engaging associates, reviewing survey results, and holding forums to stay connected and ensure ministries are participating in the ongoing work.

Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast is at the forefront of embracing innovative care delivery models and is eagerly engaging sites of care in the Ascension Optimized Case Management Model rollout. They also participate in the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program for military personnel transitioning to civilian jobs. Ascension trains these highly motivated individuals as they transition and hires many of them into the market.

Leaders say they have a desire to stay at the forefront of change in healthcare, and that they learn what’s working or not working by listening to the front line.

“With case management, we have to become innovative, solve problems and break down barriers,” said Susan Cornejo, Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast. “We sometimes get stuck in a mindset of one way to do things, and there are many ways. We want to be at the forefront of that innovative work.”

Listening and completing the feedback loop by showing associates that changes have been made are key, says Terrie. For example, leaders thought they were doing recognition well but learned through listening sessions that associates wanted to be recognized not just in group settings but also for their individual contributions. They’ve shifted recognition as a result of this feedback.

Nurse leaders are committed to rounding on associates and completing all regular check-ins, with a more than 90% completion rate. They are engaging the nursing community through ABIDE and risk and recovery conversations. The work is all part of the larger environment of inclusivity and belonging.

The effort is reflected in high survey scores by nurses who say they feel the Ministry Market promotes belongingness and inclusivity, as well as consistently high Net Promoter Scores™

“Our market is full of leaders that are open and instill the value of listening to associates and responding,” said Stephanie Ryan, Chief HR Executive. “It can’t be just nursing. Problem-solving goes across all disciplines. This is the key to success.”