TEXAS NURSE FRIENDLY PROGRAM
 FOR SMALL AND RURAL HOSPITALS
a HRSA funded consultative grant
Information for all hospitals wanting to achieveTNA Nurse-FriendlyÔ designation available at  http://www.texasnurses.org/wkplaceadv/NF/NF.htm

PURPOSE

Improve quality of patient care and retention of nurses in rural and small hospitals, utilizing

• Nurse-FriendlyÔHospital designation program

• Community-based health workforce development network

BACKGROUND/NEED

The current nursing shortage has roots in multiple complex factors. This project is designed to address one of those factors - nurse retention. This program affects retention by improving the workplace for nurses in rural and small hospitals, i.e. hospitals with under 100 average daily census (ADC).

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PARTNERSHIPS

The Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC)programs partnered with the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) to provide assistance to rural/small hospitals for the development of hospital infrastructures consistent with nurse satisfaction and retention elements.

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METHODS

• Implement the 12 nurse-friendly criteria in 30 rural/small Texas hospitals

• Measure quality of care indicators and retention of nurses 

• Measure nurse satisfaction and nurse perceptions

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PROGRESS

• 30 client hospitals

• 10 hospitals achieved the “Nurse-Friendly” Designation

• 20 hospitals are in the grant process

• 30 hospitals received quality indicators data collection training

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BENEFITS

• Collaboration provides exchange of best practices and synergy for innovation

• Hospitals realize gains in quality of work environment even before they are designated Nurse-Friendly

• 1,400 registered nurses and their 97,500 patients receive improved satisfaction and quality of care

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