In the pursuit of a better way to engage nurses with clinical laddering, Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana collaborated with StaffGarden to introduce a digital platform to their clinical ladder program.
Over 4,000 nurses embraced StaffGarden GROW's tailored approach to clinical laddering.
Parkview’s retention rate witnessed a dramatic climb to 90% post-Grow. This outpaces the industry norm by a significant 15%.
Projected over the next 4 years as a result of implementing StaffGarden GROW.
Located in the heart of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Parkview Health stands as a beacon of healthcare excellence and community commitment. With a rich history spanning several decades, it has grown to become one of the most trusted and respected healthcare providers in the region.
This case study delves into the transformational journey of Parkview Health's nursing professional development strategy through the implementation of the StaffGarden-powered program with a focus on engaging nurses through flexible pathways, recognition, and empowerment, resulting in strong ROI, nurse satisfaction, and participation rates.
There’s more to investing in nursing capabilities than just picking up extra shifts; it involves professional growth, development, and engagement. A clinical ladder program is a structured framework that can help nurses do just that, providing a clear and progressive pathway for nurses to advance in their careers while also recognizing and rewarding nurses for their ongoing professional development and commitment to improving their practice.
Parkview Health's inaugural attempt at a clinical ladder program faced a series of pressing challenges, primarily in its structure and execution. With the aim of fostering professional growth and recognizing nurse excellence, the initiative unfortunately fell short in truly captivating the intended audience. Among the 5,000 nurses at Parkview Health, only 75 (a mere 1.5%) chose to enroll. This enrollment rate stood in stark contrast to industry benchmarks, where effective clinical ladder programs see engagement rates between 60-80% of eligible nurses.
A significant barrier contributing to this turnout was the program's reliance on a traditional, paper-based format. Nurses were required to manually document their achievements and growth, consolidating this information in cumbersome binders that then needed to be submitted for review. This method not only intensified the administrative burden on nurses but also posed logistical challenges, such as ensuring the safe storage, transport, and evaluation of these physical documents. In an era where digital transformation was reshaping industries, including healthcare, this outdated approach seemed especially out of touch.
Furthermore, the system failed to resonate with nurses' evolving needs and professional landscapes. With many nurses gravitating towards side hustles for additional income and experiential variety, Parkview's program appeared ill-equipped to satisfy or even acknowledge these changing dynamics. Recognizing these pain points and the gaps in their approach, Parkview Health turned to StaffGarden for a more contemporary and nurse-centric solution.
Parkview Health recognized the need for change and turned to StaffGarden's Grow platform. By implementing this innovative solution, Parkview immediately tapped into a point-based recognition system. This system actively engaged nurses, awarding points for diverse activities and evidence of efforts beyond their day-to-day roles. Activities with greater significance earned more points, offering nurses a clear, tangible measure of their contributions.
Facing fragmented data management systems, Parkview streamlined their approach with StaffGarden's centralized system. This platform effectively captured and organized nurses' achievements, eliminating cumbersome administrative hurdles. More than just a tracking tool, the digital portfolio feature empowered nurses. Now, they could easily showcase, update, and monitor their professional milestones against the institution's benchmarks.
To boost morale and incentivize excellence, Parkview leveraged the platform's unique financial reward mechanisms. Now, as nurses advanced their qualifications or obtained multiple certifications, they directly benefited with salary increases and bonuses. This aligned their financial growth with their professional evolution.
StaffGarden's platform didn't just offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it catered to the myriad of aspirations held by Parkview's diverse nursing staff. By offering multiple activities and pathways, it ensured every nurse found a meaningful, resonant trajectory. And to nurture a cohesive community spirit, the platform integrated features that encouraged nurses to celebrate and share their triumphs and journeys.
Anticipating the learning curve, StaffGarden took proactive measures. They rolled out essential coaching sessions, addressing queries and ensuring nurses navigated the platform with confidence and clarity.
By embracing StaffGarden's Grow platform, Parkview Health took an assertive step towards elevating nurse satisfaction, empowerment, and professional growth, effectively surmounting their initial challenges.
The decision to integrate StaffGarden’s Grow platform at Parkview Health has manifested as a transformative initiative, setting the stage for a progressive future for the institution’s nursing program. Here's a closer look at the multifaceted positive impacts:
On a tangible scale, the integration of Grow has led to demonstrable improvements in both retention and engagement metrics. With a structured platform to map out professional trajectories, nurses at Parkview feel more aligned with the institution's vision, fostering longer tenures and a heightened sense of engagement.
Beyond mere numbers, the Grow platform has seamlessly integrated into the ethos of Parkview, cultivating an environment where growth isn't just encouraged but expected. The platform provides nurses with the tools, resources, and direction they need to continually evolve in their roles. By acknowledging the aspirations of its nursing staff and providing a roadmap to achieve them, Parkview sends a clear message: that each nurse's professional journey is integral to the institution’s overall vision.
In the modern era, technological glitches can severely impede the momentum of any program. However, with StaffGarden as a partner, Parkview Health rests easy. The Grow platform is not just about providing a service, but offering an unwavering technological backbone. Any challenges that might emerge are swiftly addressed, ensuring that the platform scales in tandem with Parkview's ambitions. This partnership ensures that the focus remains where it should be: on the growth of the nursing staff, rather than potential tech hurdles.
While metrics provide a measurable assessment of success, the real triumph of the Grow platform at Parkview is reflected in the enhanced morale and confidence of its nursing staff. By ensuring consistent support, both in terms of professional growth and technological assurance, the program stands as a testament to Parkview’s commitment to its nurses.
The success of the StaffGarden-powered digital clinical ladder program reverberates far beyond Parkview Health's premises. In a dynamic healthcare landscape, the program's success underlines the potential of technological solutions to shape the future of nursing. It's a resounding call for healthcare institutions to embrace digital platforms that align with nurses' own aspirations.
This is only half the story so far.
Download the Parkview Case Study to find out how StaffGarden Grow engages nurses through flexible pathways, recognition, and empowerment, resulting in strong ROI, nurse satisfaction, and participation rates for Parkview's eXceed program.
Experience the benefits of a streamlined and automated Clinical Ladder Program with Grow’s purpose-built, cloud-based platform.
