StaffGarden

12/10/2025

The time to tackle practice readiness among new nurses is now.

Nearly a third of new RNs leave within their first year, and up to 50% leave within two years, costing hospitals an average of $61,110 per RN.

In her recent Daily Nurse article, Jenna Lloyd Fisher, VP of Clinical Excellence at StaffGarden by Ascend Learning explores how healthcare organizations must rethink the “on-ramp” for new nurses through strong onboarding, mentorship, and academic-practice partnerships.

By resourcing the “on ramp” with technology-enabled solutions, StaffGarden helps healthcare organizations reduce turnover, strengthen nurse confidence, and deliver excellence in care by giving healthcare organizations the tools to streamline nurse development and onboarding.

Read the full article in Daily Nurse via the link in the comments below.

12/08/2025

Fragmented data costs healthcare time, talent, and outcomes.

At American Hospital Association’s latest Affinity Forum, Bon Secours Mercy Health shared how they’re turning data chaos into strategic workforce intelligence with StaffGarden by Ascend Learning.

The impact? After the first clinical ladder program cycle, 40%+ of participating nurses are now driving fall reduction— one of Bon Secours Mercy Health's key performance indicators. Now, they're sharing best practices across the system.

As Carol Gabala, System Director of Nursing Practice Excellence, shared:

“Data integration is helping us tell our story and predict what we need for the future to care for patients so we can make proactive decisions.”

From onboarding to succession planning, this shift is building a connected, data-driven ecosystem for healthcare.

🔎 Read the recap: https://hubs.la/Q03WMGpB0

📺 Watch the full AHA Affinity Forum Session Three recording:
https://hubs.la/Q03WMqQy0

12/04/2025

The 2026 Health Care Workforce Scan, published by the American Hospital Association in partnership with StaffGarden by Ascend Learning, reveals how hospitals and health systems nationwide are building a resilient workforce for the years ahead.

The future of health care depends on the people who make care possible. Every day, patients count on nurses, physicians, and support staff to deliver skilled, compassionate care when it matters most.

This year’s report highlights:
✅ Innovative team-based care models
✅ New roles in virtual care and AI-driven workflows
✅ Upskilling strategies for digital fluency and advanced clinical practice
✅ Approaches to improve engagement and well-being across a multigenerational workforce

As Jenna Lloyd Fisher, DNP, MSMIT, APRN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Vice President of Clinical Excellence at StaffGarden by Ascend Learning, emphasizes:
“Digital transformation for development programs is no longer optional. Centralized insights and automation are critical levers for driving engagement, retention and consistent care quality amidst matrixed teams, complex patients, and the onboarding of new nurses directly into specialty units.”

Download the full report today to explore actionable strategies, strengthen your workforce, and advance care in every community: https://hubs.la/Q03WMWQ80

The AHA Health Care Workforce Scan offers trends, expert insights and practical new approaches to guide your workforce strategies and initiatives.

12/03/2025

We’re thrilled to feature Julie Holland, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director of System Nursing Professional Practice & Clinical Learning at Texas Health Resources at our webinar on December 16, 1–2 PM ET, hosted by Laudio and StaffGarden by Ascend Learning.

The nursing workforce is at a turning point, and forward-thinking leaders are rewriting the playbook for professional development.

Julie brings deep expertise in shaping nursing practice and education across a large health system, and her leadership has been instrumental in driving innovative strategies that strengthen workforce confidence and engagement.

Whether you’re a CNO, NPD leader, or HR executive, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to transform workforce challenges into strategic advantages and practical frameworks for accelerating competency and leadership readiness.

📅 Save your spot now! https://hubs.la/Q03WHmrQ0...

11/25/2025

Big things are happening in Nashville! 🎤

On December 3, The Millennium Alliance’s Patient Experience Transformation Assembly, “Engage, Elevate, Retain: OhioHealth’s Clinical Ladder Success Story,” will dive into how OhioHealth reimagined career advancement to boost nurse engagement and retention.

You’ll learn:
* How digitizing the clinical ladder transformed recognition and growth
* Why real-time data is a game-changer for workforce development
* Scalable strategies to build a culture of continuous learning

Featuring two incredible leaders:
Tricia Edwards, BSN, RN, PCCN-K – Advisor, Nurse Professional Development & Advancement, OhioHealth
Jenna Lloyd Fisher, DNP, MSMIT, APRN, NEA-BC, FACHE – VP of Clinical Excellence, StaffGarden by Ascend Learning

📌 Can’t attend? We’ll share the recorded session soon. Stay tuned!

11/20/2025

Join StaffGarden by Ascend Learning and Laudio for an exclusive webinar:

Rewriting the Playbook: Building Confident Nursing Leaders and Competent Teams
📅 December 16 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET
👉 Reserve your spot today: https://hubs.la/Q03V8BV60

This candid discussion, hosted by Larissa Africa, MBA, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN, with CNOs and industry experts Joel Ray, MSN, RN, NEA-BC – Laudio, Julie Holland, DNP, RN, NEA-BC – Texas Health Resources and Dr. Janice Walker, DHA, MBA-HCM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC will explore:

* How to accelerate leadership readiness for new nurse managers
* Strategies to close the confidence gap among frontline teams
* Practical approaches to redesign onboarding and competency validation
* How technology-enabled visibility transforms workforce planning

You'll walk away with actionable insights and proven approaches to workforce development and evolve your solutions to deliver measurable outcomes.

Join the forward-thinking leaders who are shaping the future of nursing, one confident nurse and competent team at a time. Register now!

Got a question for one of our panelists? Share in the comments below👇

11/18/2025

AdventHealth’s redesigned nursing career ladder is a testament to the impact we're making on staff satisfaction, culture, and patient care.

Recently featured in Becker’s Healthcare, AdventHealth shared the impressive outcomes of their Professional Excellence Program, achieving:

✅ $47.5M in cost savings from improved nurse retention
✅ 4x increase in clinical ladder engagement and participation
✅ Enhanced nurse satisfaction, engagement, and nurse-physician relationships
✅ Stronger retention and professional development outcomes

These results underscore the power of innovative approaches to nurse career advancement.

Read the full article in Becker's: https://hubs.la/Q03TQBFP0...

11/06/2025

Want to retain top-performing clinical teams?
Start with purpose-driven development.

Valley Health System's Henderson Hospital partnered with StaffGarden by Ascend Learning to build a scalable, personalized Nursing Professional Development program that:

🔹 Aligns with nurses’ career goals
🔹 Strengthens engagement and retention
🔹 Supports leaders with real-time insights

The result? Participation DOUBLED within just one year.

🎬 Watch the full ANPD Aspire session to see how they did it: https://hubs.la/Q03RXwRg0

11/03/2025

What happens when you turn fragmented workforce data into strategic intelligence?

Bon Secours Mercy Health reveals what's possible when you centralize insights to optimize staffing and elevate care quality.

Join us for the final American Hospital Association Affinity Forum session with Bon Secours Mercy Health on November 19, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM CST.

Carol Gabala, MSN, RN, RN-BC, shares how their team turns fragmented workforce data into actionable intelligence to drive quality, retention, and patient experience. Hosted by Elisa Arespacochaga (AHA) with insights from Larissa Africa MBA, BSN, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN and Jennifer "Jenna" Lloyd Fisher, DNP, MSMIT, APRN, CNL, NEA-BC, FACHE.

Register for this free virtual event: https://hubs.la/Q03QRNCP0

Catch up on all Affinity Forum sessions here: https://hubs.la/Q03QRQMm0

How is your organization using workforce data to improve care? Share your thoughts below!

10/30/2025

The Magnet Recognition Program® is seen as the gold standard for nursing excellence, but it’s no secret that the journey to designation requires a meaningful investment of time, resources, and commitment...

Let’s reframe the conversation around Magnet® recognition.

Our latest blog explores how healthcare leaders can shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive strategy that makes Magnet® work for you.

Strategic partnerships with platforms like StaffGarden help demonstrate how Magnet® drives clinical outcomes, workforce stability, and financial ROI, so healthcare leaders can shift from reactive compliance to proactive strategy and capture the true value in embedding Magnet® principles year-round.

Read now to find out how you can make Magnet® work for you.
🔗 https://hubs.la/Q03QRNDN0

How has your team approached Magnet® recognition? Share your insights below!

10/23/2025

How did a digital-first approach to professional development help drive a 91% nurse retention rate and save $3.5M in turnover costs?

At the AHA Leadership Summit, Erin LaCross and Amanda Weaver from Parkview Health joined StaffGarden by Ascend Learning to share this powerful story of transformation.

Parkview’s clinical ladder program had just 75 nurses enrolled before partnering with StaffGarden.

Today, nearly 2,000 nurses are actively engaged, thanks to a platform that aligns career growth with recognition, flexibility, and financial incentives.

Parkview’s success shows what’s possible when leadership invests in scalable, data-driven workforce strategies to build a culture where nurses feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Watch the full session to learn how your organization can:
- Boost nurse retention
- Build peer-driven support systems
- Align professional development with strategic goals

View the presentation here: https://hubs.la/Q03PCBVV0

10/22/2025

90% of nurse leaders say OhioHealth’s Professional Development and Advancement Program (PDAP) is reshaping how nurses grow, contribute, and stay engaged:

- 14.5% engagement in year one (on track to exceed 20% in year two)
- 50+ care site champions driving adoption
- Real-time data guiding leadership decisions and aligning nurses with strategic goals

At the latest AHA Affinity Forum, OhioHealth shared how they’re transforming clinical talent development with a “hire-to-retire” strategy powered by StaffGarden by Ascend Learning’s digital platform.

As Tricia Edwards, Advisor for PDAP, shared:
“We now see PDAP not just as a recognition tool, but as a mechanism for upskilling and aligning nurses with a shared vision of excellence.”

From onboarding to succession planning, OhioHealth is building a resilient workforce that grows with purpose.

Watch the recording now to hear how OhioHealth is building resilient, engaged nursing teams through digitized clinical ladders and long-term development strategies: https://hubs.la/Q03PCx3R0