Newly funded CIHR project aims at mentoring solutions for retaining nursing workforce

A combination of slowing numbers of registered nurses licensed to practise along with an increase in the average age of the nursing workforce in Canada continues to threaten the stability of our health-care system. But a newly funded project, co-led by a UCalgary Nursing researcher and a number of Alberta Health Services leaders along with point-of-care nurses, seeks to bring solutions to maintain our critical nursing workforce. 

Associate professor Dr. Tracie Risling, RN, PhD, says the study REACHing (Retention through Experienced and Aspiring Career Harmony) Excellence: A Transformative Mentoring Solution for Late-Career Nursing Workforce Retention, will work toward delaying late-career nurses' retirement, combat system ageism and enhance novice nurse retention through significant mentorship matches. 

“We know nursing numbers are an established limiting factor in health-care provision and access,” says Risling, who is also vice-president of the Canadian Nurses Association.

“Our project seeks to improve health equity through efforts to stabilize and support a more sustainable workforce.”

Risling is the nominated principal applicant of a team that includes diverse interdisciplinary representation among its researchers, health systems leaders/administrators, health-care providers and patient partners, and reflects foundational EDIA project priorities.   

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)’s funding opportunity, named Strengthening the Health Workforce for System Transformation, supports research that strengthens the health workforce, led by teams who will inform evidence-informed solutions that address system-level challenges. Fifteen teams across Canada will share in $11.6 million in funding: Risling’s group will receive over $750,000 in total for three years.

Co-lead and principal knowledge user Fadumo Robinson, AHS associate chief nursing officer and collaborative care lead, health professions dtrategy and practice, further notes that the project will pilot in three AHS critical care units and expand to emergency departments.

“Our senior nurses possess highly specialized skills, knowledge and experience that are crucial to retain and share with novice nurses," she says. "This project aims to provide the necessary space, time and training to facilitate that exchange in high-intensity settings.” 

Robinson will serve as a vital link between point of care, administration and academia and position the health system to sustain transformative changes, a sentiment shared by Devonee Mueller, a critical care nurse and final member of the project’s tripartite leadership team.  

The CIHR funding, explains Risling, will help create a plan to address significant and increasing challenges retaining late-career nurses and their knowledge in essential acute-care settings. 

“We also want to devise tactics for improved supports for early-career nurses in critical-care areas. So we will look for ways to provide improved transition support via mentoring for novice nurses in demanding care areas while at the same time balancing direct care responsibility with mentoring engagement.” 

The REACH team notes the project is meant to improve patient/provider experiences supporting improved access and outcomes. Risling adds, “And to our valued RNs, it will give a clear demonstration of the value of their expertise in a system challenged by ageism."