We value our nurses and are dedicated to fostering a rewarding, equitable, and fulfilling workplace where they feel motivated to build their careers at MHFSMC. Recently, we have made significant progress in enhancing the work environment by focusing on strategies to attract new talent, retain and support our experienced nursing staff, and advance career development, among other initiatives.
We care about our nurses:
adequate staffing, resources, and support 
We are committed to providing our nurses with the tools, support, and resources they need to deliver exceptional care.
- Established a Centralized Stroke Response Unit (SRU) to ensure dedicated, expert stroke care – eliminating the need to pull nurses from other units and earning national recognition for excellence in stroke treatment
- Increased nursing staff, added more surgical instruments, enhanced PRN support, and added posey alarm and more wheelchairs.
- Allocated Monitor Technician, at the request of nurses, for the Emergency Department Observation Unit (EDOU) to enhance patient monitoring and support.
- Expanded the regional float pool, brought in LPNs to support nursing teams, and implemented new hiring strategies to reduce vacancies.
- Increased internal resource pool by 6X, providing additional support for nurses and strengthening staffing flexibility to enhance patient care
- Integrated TC-52 messaging, launched EHR efficiency stages I & II, and fostered cross-department collaboration for resource sharing.
- Reduced nurse vacancy rate from 40% to just 6%, ensuring stronger staffing and better patient care.
- Improved retention by 86% over three years, reducing turnover from 9.35% to just 1.3%.
- Stabilized workforce and increased permanent hiring, with fewer than 30 in-house agency nurses.
We care about our nurses:
building connections and celebrating successes 
We’re committed to strengthening collaboration, improving workflows, and celebrating our team.
- Launched the Charge Academy to provide experienced charge nurses with advanced strategic training led by the CNO, ensuring real-time, face-to-face connections with the CNO and Hospital President to address staffing challenges and enhance leadership development.
- Increased engagement from providers by attending unit-based councils and staff meetings.
- Welcomed new team members through the Welcome Bio Boards and regularly recognize current team members through Kudos Board.
- Started L&D, NICU, and ICB IMOC huddles for better coordination.
- Improved care with weekly interdisciplinary WOCN rounds and launched “Pressure Point,” a newsletter delivering the latest in wound care treatments and advancements
- Implemented best practices for knowledge sharing (Brainiacs) and Stroke Champion Events.
We care about our nurses:
strengthening collaboration, leadership, and patient care 
We are committed to investing in our nurses’ growth by providing education, career advancement opportunities, and professional development support.
- Expanded Ed Assist and tuition reimbursement, streamlining approvals and reimbursements.
- Implemented hourly pay increases for charge and precepting nurses on weekend shifts, recognizing and rewarding their leadership and dedication.
- Introduced Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) advancement, study sessions, and a structured clinical ladder to support growth.
- Clinical Nurse II to Clinical Nurse III: 5% hourly addition to base rate
- Clinical Nurse III to Clinical Nurse IV: 6% hourly addition to base rate (total of 11%)
- Added research and EBP workshops, roving education, performance appraisals, and professional development goals to empower nurses in their careers.
- Secured substantial market increases for senior nurses, ensuring competitive pay and attracting top talent.
We care about our nurses:
a standard of excellence 
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and transparency to support our nurses and enhance patient care.
- Developed safety board for transparency and awareness.
- Prioritized nurse well-being with wellness rounds, support dogs, an active wellbeing team, and dedicated relaxation spaces featuring massage chairs, mood lighting, and the Garden of Gratitude for outdoor relaxation.
- Implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve patient safety, streamline workflows, and enhance hospital efficiency.
- Recognized for addressing the highest percentage of workplace violence claims, demonstrating our commitment to staff safety by filing charges against violent patients and family members.
- Established safeguards and a standard of excellence through routine huddles, SafetyNet reporting, bedside shift reporting, nurse-initiative staff meetings, and stroke recognition and certification awards.
- Enhanced security with magnetometers for weapon detection in the ED and “Just in Time Rounding” focused on verbal and physical de-escalation.
We care about our nurses:
fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration 
We are committed to fostering teamwork, leadership visibility, and clear communication to support our nurses.
- Accessible, visible leaders who routinely round, check-in, conduct town halls, and frequently visit units.
- Collaborative governance ensures staff input in decisions and process improvements.
- Monthly newsletters, email updates, and TC group chats keep nursing staff informed.
- Unit awards, break buddies, and team events enhance collaboration.
- New hire gifts, welcome cards, and CNO orientation videos create a positive start.
- ADONs available at night, bookings for leader availability, and proactive rounding ensure continuous support.
- No pass zone for call lights ensures prompt responses.