In Episode 83 of the AHA Associates Bringing Value podcast, the American Hospital Association (AHA) features two of the leading voices in healthcare workforce transformation: Larissa Africa MBA, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN, Vice President, Healthcare Workforce Solutions at HWS and StaffGarden by Ascend Learning and Jenna Lloyd Fisher DNP, MSMIT, APRN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Vice President, Clinical Excellence at HWS and StaffGarden by Ascend Learning.
Their conversation, moderated by AHA’s Kathleen Wessel, explores how StaffGarden is reshaping how hospitals approach workforce challenges— from hire to retire.
Healthcare workforce development is no longer just about onboarding staff or managing annual competencies—it’s about creating a sustainable model for talent growth, performance, and retention.
With the addition of StaffGarden’s digital clinical ladders and Versant’s proven competency frameworks, HWS and StaffGarden have created a platform that not only integrates data but turns it into action. The result? A more engaged workforce that provides a higher standard of care for patients.
“Bringing all of these critical components into one solution has a larger impact on quality of care,” said Larissa. “It ensures the workforce can practice at the top of their scope, reduces burnout, and ultimately drives better patient outcomes.”
One of the biggest challenges facing hospitals today is disconnected systems and paper-based processes that lack transparency and create administrative burden. Larissa highlighted that the traditional model—manual spreadsheets, siloed onboarding, and inconsistent competency validation—drains staff time and clouds leadership insight.
“When we use technology, we can see the progress of each individual in real time. We move away from time-based orientation and focus on competency-based onboarding, which we’ve seen save $6,000 per nurse in reduced non-productive time.”
Jenna added that the right solution should not only “deliver workforce insights—it should do the analysis for you, identify gaps and potential missed opportunities with your clinical teams and patients.”
The data is clear: clinical ladders reduce turnover. But only when they are accessible, engaging, and tied to meaningful progression. “If you are on that ladder and achieve that ladder, you are more likely to stay with your organization,” Jenna explained. And the key to making it sustainable is removing the barriers.
“Manual management is inefficient and unsustainable,” Larissa shared. “Using a digital platform like StaffGarden removes the burden from managers and helps leaders stay engaged with their teams. It’s not just about the program—it’s about creating a culture where nurses feel seen, supported, and valued.”
This digital transparency also supports leadership. From Magnet preparation to Joint Commission readiness, “leaders can track how many nurses are certified, how many are eligible, and ensure their team meets quality and safety benchmarks—without chasing down records,” said Larissa.
While much attention is paid to clinical onboarding, StaffGarden’s approach extends further. Larissa emphasized the importance of holistic development, including career pathways for ancillary staff, and scalable systems that prepare staff across the organization—not just nursing.
“When you have standardization and digitized competencies, the possibilities multiply,” Larissa said. “You can cascade skills across career ladders and pinpoint how to build internal pipelines to fill roles. That kind of visibility is a win-win—for staff and system operations.”
The conversation concluded with a clear message for health system leaders: empowerment through technology is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of future-ready healthcare delivery.
“We help healthcare leaders see where they are and where they need to go,” said Jenna. “When you align digital platforms with strategy, you unlock efficiency, improve care quality, and retain your best people.”
Whether you're aiming to standardize competencies, reduce turnover, or build internal talent pipelines, HWS and StaffGarden by Ascend Learning connects clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and workforce strategy in a single, unified vision.
Interested in learning how your organization can implement these tools and strategies? Explore StaffGarden and Healthcare Workforce Solutions by Ascend Learning.
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