Using Innovative Software to Address the Puzzle of Sustainable Workforce Stability.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the 6-month outcomes of a pilot study testing a web-based decision-making tool for nurse managers (NMs) to use in determining RN hiring needs, and to evaluate the effect on workforce stability and NM satisfaction at a large academic hospital.

Background: To ensure that day-to-day staffing in inpatient units is adequate, NMs must be proactive in determining hiring needs. However, adequate tools to guide this skill are lacking, leading to administrative burden. Simultaneously, reducing the administrative burden of NMs is a priority to develop healthy work environments, foster staff development, and facilitate patient care.

Methods: Researchers used a matched cohort comparison (24 clinical units; 1177.57 full-time equivalents) to evaluate the impact of HealthForceRx, a Web-based workforce management tool, on workforce stability and NM satisfaction. Researchers measured workforce stability as the gap between functional RNs and budgeted RNs. Primary and secondary analyses were performed using mixed model analysis of variance.

Results: The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the RN functional gap from baseline to 6 months post (P = .003), in contrast to no significant change in control units. Nurse managers also reported significant improvements in the tools available to manage staffing and determine hiring needs (P = .15), competencies (P = .28), and RN turnover (P = .007).

Conclusions: The use of this innovative software tool to proactively determine RN hiring needs may improve workforce stability and NM satisfaction.