MINUTES
WVRHEP
RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
COMMITTEE MEETING
May 19, 2003, Days Inn, Flatwoods
Attending: Penny Asbury, Linda Atkins, Tom Hefner,
Jill Hutchinson, Lynn Mugass (for Jim Nemitz), Bob Whitler. Staff: Alicia
Tyler. Absent: Norm Ferrari, Marilyn
Fox, Mike Holt, Sharon Lansdale, Jane Martin, Jill McDaniel, Shirley Neel, Jo
Ann Raines, Jessica Sharp. Guests: Jodie Jackson, Lorenzo L. Pence, D.O.,
Michelle L. Kopf, Patti Crawford, Georgianna S. Tillis, Michael Adelman, D.O.,
Jennifer T. Plymale, Debbie Curry, Lisa Michelle Hatcher.
Bob Whitler, serving as chair, opened the meeting. The
minutes of the March 17th meeting were approved on motion (Hutchinson/Hefner).
Mr. Whitler reported on the Graduate Medical Education
meeting for RHEP and AHEC, scheduled for August 1st at the Days Inn in
Flatwoods. He explained that rural GME can take a variety of forms, including
rotations, rural satellites of existing programs, and full-blown residency
programs.
Staff Report
Alicia reported that Dr. Cynthia Persily would
appreciate the support of the Committee on S.B. 529, which would create a West
Virginia Center for Nursing. Dr. Persily reported on the bill at the March 17th
meeting. The Center would serve as a data clearinghouse and provide leadership
in addressing the nursing shortage. On motion (Hefner/Atkins), the Committee
voted to send a letter to Dr. Persily, expressing full support for the proposed
Center.
The WVU-Charleston Division is submitting a proposal
for funding under the Emerging Nursing Leaders section of the Nurse
Reinvestment Act.
Alicia presented slides on the recruitment outcomes of
HSSP nurse practitioner and physician assistant graduates from 1996 to 2002:
·
Of the 34 nurse
practitioners, 23 (68%) served or are serving obligations, with 11
default/paybacks.
·
Of the 21 physician
assistants, 13 (62%) served or are serving obligations, with 8
default/paybacks.
·
This year, 8 nurse
practitioners got awards, including 2 who will teach as their service
obligation.
·
Program outcomes have
improved with implementation of interviews and subcommittee reviews.
Tracking System for Recruitment
Jodie Jackson reported on a new process for reporting
placements of West Virginia RHEP graduates. For the past 4 years, the schools,
state offices, and site coordinators have been collecting information manually
for the annual Recruitment & Retention Report to the Legislature. Lack of
funding prevented the development of a more efficient method. This year, with AHEC funding, a statewide
group with representation from the schools and state offices developed a
process for depositing data in a central database, using TRACKER©. Placements will still be verified by site
coordinators. Storing information by zip code will allow for more precise
tracking of recruitment and retention.
As for the schools reporting to the Policy Commission
on retention of graduates, that will continue to be done directly by the alumni
offices. They are reporting on time
periods that pre-date the TRACKER© system.
Responding to a question about retention of rural
physicians, Jodie said that a North Carolina study found that all
physicians tend to move about every 4 years.
Jodie reported that an article about the West Virginia
Financial Incentives Study will appear in the August issue of the Journal of
Rural Health.
Region 1 Healthcare Consortium
Lisa Hatcher, workforce development coordinator for
the Region 1 Workforce Investment Board, reported on a pilot project of the
Board and the WV Hospital Association.
Region 1 is developing a consortium in an 11-county area to address
health workforce issues. Sixteen hospitals were invited to join. They are also working with long-term care
providers, colleges, home health, and public health.
Region 1 is focusing on the nursing shortage and has
identified career paths in professional nursing. Their efforts are not confined to entry-level positions, but take
in the whole spectrum from entry-level hospital workers, to skilled positions,
to LPNs, on up to graduate nursing levels and administrators. They are
developing career modules on job responsibilities and educational
opportunities, which will be available on their website (www.work4wv.com). They
are looking for ways that individuals can continue their education while
working, and have encouraged hospitals to offer flex-time to support this.
Glenville has started an LPN program to channel CNAs
up to the LPN level. Hospitals that provide clinical training must be approved
by the Joint Commission. (The law would have to be changed to allow more
flexibility.) Ms. Hatcher has approached these facilities to see if they would
make evening clinical time available. Some 200 individuals are interested in
the 33 available slots.
Region 1 has surveyed the areas physician supply and
learned that 45% are 55+ in age. They
are concerned about retirement and out-migration.
Ms. Hatcher serves on the regions AHEC board.
Visions Document
Patti Crawford reported on the RHEP Visions Document,
which was produced by the Curriculum Outreach Committee. She asked for a volunteer to write up the
accomplishments and needs relative to recruitment and retention. The deadline is July 11th. Alicia Tyler will provide this to April
Vestal.
The meeting was adjourned.