Enhancing Orientation and Retention: One Unit's Success Story

Enhancing job satisfaction and retention of new employees is an important focus for health care facilities. A unit-specific orientation class was used to teach skills necessary for successful practice on a surgical unit and enhance retention of employees. Class attendees reported an increased level of comfort with the skills necessary for successful employment on the unit. Scores on a knowledge assessment test increased by 26% from prior to the class to after the class. The unit's 1-year retention rate increased from 44% to 84%.