A continuum of care is one significant benefit, and so is the cost savings. Consider these data points from the 2023 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report:
- Average cost of turnover for one staff RN was $52,350 in 2022
- Each percent change in RN turnover costs or saves average hospital $380,600 annually
- For every 20 travel RNs eliminated, hospital can save $3,140,000 on average
- Every RN hired saves $157,000
“I think the impact for us is huge,” said Seguin, who has been at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for four years. “It's a return on investment in people and finances.”
The six nursing students looking to begin second careers have already begun taking prerequisite courses.
“I’m excited to gain the experience and knowledge that only this program can offer,” said Kelsey Moreis, a medical receptionist at MVH.
Rachel Vargas, an executive assistant to Seguin and lifelong resident of Martha’s Vineyard, calls it a dream to be part of this first class.
“It feels surreal that I will soon have the opportunity to care for my community,” said Vargas. “I’ve had the best journey at MVH that started at birth, continued through 18 years of pediatric care to volunteer shifts at our nursing and rehab center, a mentorship through inpatient units in high school, to my current role, and now future prospects. To provide care for the teachers, parents, friends, and island that raised you is such a gift.”
Jennifer Dudley is a process improvement analyst at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital who says she’s following a calling, one made possible by this nursing program’s flexibility.
“Switching from a business background to nursing felt like something too far out of reach,” said Dudley, who came to MVH five years ago with the intention of eventually becoming a nurse. “ABSN programs such as the one we’re bringing to the island make it possible to become a nurse at any point in your career. In this model, the nontraditional journey makes sense and is worth pursuing. I’m excited to participate in the first cohort and be part of an innovative solution to our nursing shortage.”
Rali Ivanova was introduced to the OB/Gyn department when she was pregnant with her first child; the positive experience led her to become a medical assistant in the department. She says nursing is the next step in her clinical adventure.
“I was very happy to find out that the ABSN program through MGH IHP will be offered at MVH,” said Ivanova, who has been working at MVH since 2014. “Travelling off the island for classes has been stopping me from taking that step earlier. This is an amazing opportunity, and I am very motivated to complete the program. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the MGB family and I appreciate all the amazing career opportunities that are available to the employees.”
If this pilot program is successful, the IHP has plans to scale it.
“Nantucket Cottage Hospital would be an option, and so would other areas of Cape Cod that are difficult to get to,” said Dean White. “Where are the rural, underserved communities in our region? Could they benefit from this? I would think so.”
Seguin is optimistic any logistical hiccups will be ironed out and that every two years, six new nurses are added to her staff while six new students begin studying for a new career.
“In my dream world, every two years we re-up our agreement with the IHP,” said Seguin. “We get six more nurses, then six more, then six more. And if we could make that number stretch to eight, I could probably do that. I think it's a great partnership. It's nice that we have an option that's so close to home.”
Do you have a story the Office of Strategic Communications should know about? If so, email us at ihposc [at] mghihp.edu.
