Strategies for the retention of hospice home care nurses. Maintaining quality care.

Severalarticleshavebeen written to highlight theneed for effectiveretentionstrategiesduringa time whena shortageof nursesis againbecoming an issue.Nursemanagershaverealizedthat retention, ratherthanrecruitment, is amorecost-effectivestrategy to assurethatorganizationscan bestaffedto provideconsistent quality care.However, literature describingthe specific issuesof retaininghospice nursestaff is lacking. As the hospicemovementcontinues to grow andmature,staff membersbecomemorevaluabledueto the knowledgeand experiencetheypossess. Excellencein hospicewill beachieved by thosewho canretain the staffwith expertiseto provide quality care. Veteranstaffmembersare neededto provideexpert knowledge,to beavailableas mentorsto employees,andto provide stability to theorganization. Managerswhofail to acknowledgestaffcontributions throughprofessionalrecognitionandanadequatesalary andbenefits,fail to provide the resourcesfor theaccomplishmentof staff members’ roles, or impedetheprofessional growth,will soonfind currentemployeesworking elsewhere. Hospicehomecareis demandingto eventhe mostseasonedof nurses.Hospicefamilies havemorecontrol because thepatientis beingcaredfor in their homeandcanrejectpart or all of the careplansuggestedby the hospicenurse. As mosthomevisitsaremade independently,nursescanfeel