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Programs
education and professional development
LEAP Nurse Training Program
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Here to view: Executive Summary: "Veterans Homes Nursing Care At The Crossroads" -
PDF - 134KB
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In 2002, AFVHF became concerned about the growing number of Veterans Homes reporting problems
with nursing staff turnover and nurse labor supply. With the funding assistance of the
W. K. Kellogg Foundation, it conducted a national study on nurse attrition and best management
practices to improve retention and recruitment.
» List of persons who served on the Kellogg
Nursing Task Force Panel
Findings of this study were presented to the Kellogg Foundation and the National Association
of State Veterans Home in 2003. A summary of findings, authored by Dr. Michael Creedon,
may be obtained below.
In 2004, AFVHF and NASVH carefully evaluated steps that could be taken in implementing
the findings of the nursing study. It was resolved that the LEAP Nurse Training Program,
developed by the Mather LifeWays Foundation of Evanston, Illinois, was best suited to meet
the needs of the Veterans Homes Community. LEAP (Learn, Empower, Achieve, Produce) was
subsequently introduced to the nation's Veteran Home administrators at NASVH's 2004 Summer
Conference and the 2005 Mid-Winter Meeting.
LEAP is a "big step" for Veterans Homes to take, in that it is a culture change that restructures
the nurse workforce. It is LEAP's premise that the task-oriented, medical model now used
almost exclusively by nursing staffs must be replaced with a model that is person-centered.
Nurses must communicate more effectively with one another, especially in the care-planning
process. Pride in being gerontological nurse is to be encouraged. Self esteem in all nurse
ranks, especially among certified nursing assistants, is also of high importance.
LEAP is a train-the trainer program. It is now five years old and has been adopted in 26
states by 189 nursing homes. Two senior nurses from each Home initially attend a three-day
workshop conducted by the LEAP staff. These nurses, in turn, return to their Homes and
engage in 13 weeks of training for the other nursing staff members.
» More
information on the LEAP program
The Veterans Home Foundation provides scholarship support for each nurse who attends a
LEAP training workshop. The usual $1,500 training fee per nurse is paid through Foundation
funds and a grant from the Human Resource Services Administration (U.S. Department of Health
and Humans Services). Perhaps one of the most unique features of LEAP is its commitment
to assess the outcomes of its program. Prior to LEAP implementation, nursing data is collected
from each Home (job satisfaction, quality measures, attrition, etc.). The Homes are then
surveyed six months after LEAP implementation - at the one-year point - and annually thereafter.
The Veterans Homes Foundation is very enthused about current data showing a reduction in
nurse turnover at LEAP homes of 30% - while at the same time showing advances on the traditional
quality of care indicators.
National studies have consistently shown that a more stable nursing staff contributes greatly
to the quality of life and quality of care received by long term care residents. A more
stable nursing workforce also means large savings for every Veteran Home budget. National
nurse replacement costs now run at $5,000-10,000 per staff position.
The first seven Veterans Homes (Oklahoma) began implementing LEAP in February 2005. Five
Homes from Maine - and three Homes from Washington will implement LEAP by December 2005.
Eight more states are scheduled for training in 2006. The Veterans Homes Foundation Board
of Directors will be monitoring LEAP outcome data for Veterans Homes closely in 2006, with
the sincere hope that the quality of life and the quality of care for our living heroes
are improving nationally.
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