Workplace culture transformation improves nurse retention

Los Angeles General Medical Center improved nurse retention and nurse-sensitive indictors by transforming workplace culture, according to an article in Critical Care Nurse authored by CNO Nancy Blake, PhD, RN, an AONL member. The hospital implemented the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments. The project implemented seven strategies, including professional shared governance and unit practice councils; a transition-to-practice residency program for new graduates; and nurse leadership development programs. Turnover fell from 21% in 2022 to 10.4% in 2024. The residency program resulted in more than 500 new graduates hired and a retention rate of 93% at two years. Before the program, the retention rate was 50%. Patient outcomes also improved, with decreases in all nurse-sensitive indicators. (Newswise news release, 10/1/25)