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. For a list of persons who served on the Kellogg Nursing Task Force Panel, please clicking here. 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 may be found by clicking here. 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. Click Here to view: Executive Summary: "Veterans Homes Nursing Care At The Crossroads" - .PDF - 134KB (Adobe Acrobat Reader® is needed to view this file. Get Acrobat Reader® - FREE!)