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Nurse fits well in outreach, retention role by Cindy Abole Public Relations Veteran nurse Yvonne Martin, R.N., has the complex job of assisting new and working nurses with counseling and guidance while concentrating on staff retention strategies.      Meanwhile, the medical center’s Nursing Outreach and Retention coordinator working within Clinical Services is discovering new opportunities to help reduce job turnover and provide staff with professional support.   “It’s always a struggle when we lose good, experienced nurses to other hospitals or care facilities; but what’s worse is when good people leave nursing altogether,” Martin said. “That’s when the need of a sympathetic ear, good communications and supportive programs can be helpful.”   A former oncology nurse and nurse manager with more than 29 years nursing experience, Martin assumed the role previously held by Irene Thomas, R.N., in July.   Today, Martin provides a familiar, continuous presence among the medical center’s nursing staff. Already, she is meeting with nurse managers and administrators throughout the organization as well as working with the hospital’s Human Resources’ nurse recruiter team and College of Nursing staff. Off campus she will serve as one of the hospital’s liaisons working with nursing programs across South Carolina and surrounding states working at recruitment fairs and other activities in hopes of recruiting some of the state’s best nurses.   “My job is to listen to people, provide guidance and discuss options that will help nurses find success and resolve challenges,” said Martin. “My goal is to help find win-win situations for everyone involved.”   Hospital administration is confident with Martin and this renewed effort.   “Our overall goal is to be sure that newly employeed nurses are oriented, supported and nourished in regards to training and opportunities throughout their nursing career,” said Marilyn Schaffner, Ph.D., R.N., Clinical Services administrator and the medical center’s chief nursing officer. “New nurses entering the work force are used to managing information. When that flow of information and feedback slows down or stops, nurses can easily feel lost and undervalued. Yvonne’s role will focus on a variety of areas from helping staff with job satisfaction to career planning. That, combined with the hospital’s new graduate residency programs and plans for continuing assessment, are a great start for us to assist staff with their specific needs.”   In light of the nation’s nursing shortage, hospitals and residential care facilities, which employ registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants; have prioritized the need for employee satisfaction, training and staff retention strategies to help maintain nurse staffing quotas.    Still, nursing remains among the country’s top honest and most respected professions, according to national Gallup Poll surveys. It also is one of the most stressful and demanding job. Managing patient care responsibilities, compounded with personal and family priorities, can burn out the newest or most experienced nursing professional. Martin’s job is to recognize the warning signs that lead to stress and work with nurses and managers in finding solutions while helping administration maintain a caring and professional work environment. The presence of a full-time outreach and retention officer is expected to decrease nursing turnover, staffing costs and lead to more personal job satisfaction.   According to Schaffner, anytime a nurse leaves MUSC, the loss is felt throughout the organization. It can cost as much as $50,000-90,000 to re-recruit, train and replace each nurse that’s needed to maintain the hospital’s levels for providing quality patient care, she said.   “I see Yvonne as a specialist on our staff, similar to that of a school guidance counselor, whose knowledge, experience and enthusiasm can complement our nursing staff,” Schaffner said. “She’s someone people already know and trust through her experiences as a nurse manager and career advocate. She’s approachable and easy to talk with. She makes a good fit.”   A Charleston native, Martin grew up with nursing in her blood. Her three aunts and mother combined share more than 70 year’s nursing experience. Martin earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Baptist College in 1978. In 1996, she continued her education and received her bachelor of science in nursing degree. Later, she earned her master’s degree in nursing in 2001 at MUSC and has since then been actively involved in nursing leadership, projects and mentoring activities within her profession.   Additionally, she has contributed to numerous nursing education programs within the medical center and at her alma mater contributing to the college’s Nursing Academy Honors Program. She previously worked with high school students co-organizing the MUSC and Charleston County School District’s Summer Nursing Camp, career shadowing activities and other mentoring experiences.   Additionally, Martin has been an active member and leader with the MUSC Nursing Alliance and is their link to the Nurse Executive Committee. In 2004, she contributed to the hospital’s focus on achieving magnet status through the Magnet Professional Recognition Program in 2004. Those efforts were later replaced in support of the organization’s commitment to the MUSC Excellence initiative in 2005, which focuses on patient and employee satisfaction while achieving overall good patient outcomes.   Martin’s career models the excellence qualities, as she’s been consistently recognized for her numerous professional achievements. In 2005, she and four other colleagues were honored with the S.C. Palmetto Gold Award for excellence.   For now, Martin wants to concentrate on communicating her new role and relating to staff on all levels. For more information, contact Martin, 792-1630 or martiny@musc.edu.     Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.