lOMoAR cPSD| 60399657
Task 2: Project Proposal
Healthcare Administration Capstone — D580
Katie Fowler
Student ID
D580 Task 2 - Capstone Task 2
Healthcare Administration Capstone (Western Governors University)
, lOMoAR cPSD| 60399657
A. Executive Summary: Addressing Nursing Shortages
Recruitment and retention among nursing staff is a critical, ongoing issue in the healthcare
industry. “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 193,000 openings for
registered nurses are projected each year through 2032.” (Burton, 2025).
The aging workforce, an increase in demand in care, burnout among nurses and bottlenecks in
nursing education are the highest contributing factors to the nursing shortage. This report will
reveal that the majority of nursing turnover is due to voluntary resignation.
Not only does the nursing shortage have a negative impact on patient care, but it also causes
financial stress on organizational margins. This is not only in recruitment and training expenses
but also in costs associated with utilizing travel nurses and offering overtime or critical pay to fill
temporary vacancies.
To address this, it is crucial that we invest in our organization's nurses to reduce retention and
turnover. The proposed solution will involve the following areas:
• We will offer retention bonuses to nurses to full-time and part-time nurses who have
completed their second year with the company. The amount of the bonus will be based
upon full-time or part-time status. The bonus will be paid in increments and will require
a retention contract. Nurses under contract will be utilized for support and training for
new graduate nurses with under 1 year experience.
• Development of a nursing cohort program. This program will be available and apply to all
nurses with under 1 year of experience. This cohort will provide monthly training and
support to new nurses with education via class time, online learning, clinical rotations,
and support from nurses involved with the retention contract.
Task 2: Project Proposal
Healthcare Administration Capstone — D580
Katie Fowler
Student ID
D580 Task 2 - Capstone Task 2
Healthcare Administration Capstone (Western Governors University)
, lOMoAR cPSD| 60399657
A. Executive Summary: Addressing Nursing Shortages
Recruitment and retention among nursing staff is a critical, ongoing issue in the healthcare
industry. “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 193,000 openings for
registered nurses are projected each year through 2032.” (Burton, 2025).
The aging workforce, an increase in demand in care, burnout among nurses and bottlenecks in
nursing education are the highest contributing factors to the nursing shortage. This report will
reveal that the majority of nursing turnover is due to voluntary resignation.
Not only does the nursing shortage have a negative impact on patient care, but it also causes
financial stress on organizational margins. This is not only in recruitment and training expenses
but also in costs associated with utilizing travel nurses and offering overtime or critical pay to fill
temporary vacancies.
To address this, it is crucial that we invest in our organization's nurses to reduce retention and
turnover. The proposed solution will involve the following areas:
• We will offer retention bonuses to nurses to full-time and part-time nurses who have
completed their second year with the company. The amount of the bonus will be based
upon full-time or part-time status. The bonus will be paid in increments and will require
a retention contract. Nurses under contract will be utilized for support and training for
new graduate nurses with under 1 year experience.
• Development of a nursing cohort program. This program will be available and apply to all
nurses with under 1 year of experience. This cohort will provide monthly training and
support to new nurses with education via class time, online learning, clinical rotations,
and support from nurses involved with the retention contract.
