Skip to menu
Skip to main content
Skip to sub-content
OUHSC Home
Directory
Map
Inside HSC
Webmail
Search Terms
Contact Us
Self Service
D2L
Intranet
Apply
Search Terms
Menu
Toggle navigation
About The College
Campuses
Dean's Welcome
Mission and Goals
Leadership
Faculty Directory
Inclusiveness Statement
Research
Meet our Research Team
RESEARCH RESOURCES
Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Stay Connected
Leadership Team, Faculty, and Mentors
PhD Education
Reynolds Scholars
Reynolds Predoctoral Scholarship
Community Impact
Palliative Care
Evidence Based Practice Presentations
Careers
Care Management
Care Management Services
Payment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Advantage Program
International Care Management Program
Current Students
Annual Certifications
Career Assistance
Computer Information
Enrollment
Graduation
Learning Writing Research
Orientation
Background Checks
Student Code of Honor
Health Insurance
Program Costs
Scholarships
Doctoral Funding
Student Affairs
Student Handbooks
Student Records
Textbooks
Course Evaluation
Course Schedules
Future Students
Academics
Applications
Student Affairs
Program Costs
Application Status Decision Meanings
Alumni and Friends
Areas of Giving
Ways to Give
Dean's Leadership Circle
Alumni Association
Distinguished Alumni Award
Alumni Day
Newsletter
Contact Us
Preceptors
Preceptor Resources
Site-Preceptor-Agreement Form - NP
Preceptor Compensation
RAA Form
Evaluation Forms
Contract and Preceptor Process
Clinical Rotation Info Form-CNS
DNP Organizational Mentor Handbook
Continuing Education
Nurse Refresher
The Consortium
About CE
Online CE
Psychopharmacological Agents
NIP-IT
CE Handouts
Reynolds
Apply
::
Home
sims
Spotlights
Spotlights
OU College of Nursing Receives Grant to Provide Nursing Home Leadership Training
Oklahoma City (Dec. 21, 2018) –
Nationally, Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of staff turnover in nursing homes – 68 percent -- a statistic that affects the quality of care that residents receive.
To address that problem, the Fran and Earl Ziegler University of Oklahoma College of Nursing is creating the Long-Term Care Leadership Academy, a training program that aims to develop leadership skills through education and mentoring for staff members at nursing homes across Oklahoma. The goal is that a resulting culture change will improve staff retention and the care that residents receive.
The program is funded by a nearly $400,000 grant from the Civil Money Penalties program, administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. When nursing homes are fined, that money goes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and part of it returns to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, where it can only be used for quality improvement projects that help residents of nursing homes.
“Improving the nursing home workplace culture by developing staff leadership skills is an important determinant of quality care for nursing home residents,” said Gary Loving, Ph.D., RN, interim dean of the OU College of Nursing.
Recent studies have shown staff turnover to be more important to nursing home outcomes than staffing or skill mix. Nationally, certified nursing assistants have the highest turnover rate at 51.5 percent, followed by registered nurses at 50 percent and licensed professional nurses at 36 percent. With an overall staff turnover of 68 percent, Oklahoma’s nursing homes lose significantly more employees than the national average of 43.9 percent. In addition, Oklahoma’s Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes is one of the lowest in the nation, which adds to the difficulty of retaining good staff.
“It is extremely difficult to work on improving the quality of life and care of residents without adequate staff,” said Diana Sturdevant, Ph.D., RN, of the OU College of Nursing. “High turnover depletes limited resources and reduces productivity because of the added costs of hiring and training new employees.”
Sturdevant is leading the Long-Term Care Leadership Academy with OU College of Nursing colleague Teri Round, M.S., RN. The curriculum is being developed by incorporating evidence-based practices and the expertise of college faculty and nursing home experts.
The program will be geared toward three levels of nursing home employees. Level one consists of the director and assistant director of nursing and the administrator. Level two includes RNs and LPNs who have direct leadership responsibilities of co-workers. Level three consists of certified nursing assistants and their roles in affecting the quality of life and improved care for residents.
Four face-to-face regional meetings will be provided, with one day for each level’s education. The fourth day will be a half-day period for all three levels to practice the skills they’ve learned. Program topics include communication and teamwork, giving and receiving delegation, generational differences, person-centered care, culture change, co-worker engagement, retention and succession planning.
Leadership skills will be an important focus for nursing home supervisors, Sturdevant said. Nursing homes typically employ RNs as directors and assistant directors of nursing, and LPNs as charge nurses. They usually do not receive leadership training as part of their academic education.
“They often lack skills in conflict resolution, effective communication and inclusiveness,” Sturdevant said. “Many use an authoritative approach with top-down communication that does little to facilitate teamwork.”
Following the Long-Term Care Leadership Academy, staff members will continue to be mentored. They also will undertake projects designed to support culture change and to meet a need specific to each nursing home. Projects will potentially address antibiotic stewardship, infection prevention, antipsychotic medication reform and others.
“The OU College of Nursing faculty and staff have expertise in leadership training, development and implementation of quality improvement processes and systems change,” Round said. “We are excited to work with nursing home staff members across Oklahoma on meaningful ways they can retain staff and create a better culture for both employees and residents.”
Gallery
Print
Categories:
News