Employee PRIDE

(Provide Respect, Incentives, career Development, and Education)

Background. Founded in 1995, NewCourtland provides a range of community services, including adult day programs, home care, affordable senior housing, and skilled nursing facility care to Philadelphia’s seniors.

In 2004, the NewCourtland Education Center opened. This training facility was originally established to provide education and workforce development for NewCourtland staff. In 2009, that mission expanded to include educating anyone in the Philadelphia community interested in a career in long-term care nursing.

Employee Development. New Courtland believes strongly in attracting motivated, high-quality employees. To help employees pursue their interest in nursing careers, the organization established the NewCourtland “Ladder of Opportunity.” The Ladder provides training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a CNA Specialist — an advanced aide position within the NewCourtland Network.

The Ladder of Opportunity also provides scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and stipends to employees interested in pursuing careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs).

The steps of the ladder are as follows:

• Certified Nursing Assistant
  CNAs are the cornerstone for the care received by seniors in the NewCourtland Network. Through the NewCourtland Education Center, trainees receive seven weeks of adult learner-centered, competency-based training. The interactive training builds knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for delivering quality care for elders. Any NewCourtland employee may take the CNA training course.
• CNA Specialist
  To become a CNA specialist, CNAs participate in a seven-week training that focuses on nutrition, wound prevention and skin care, restorative care, and dementia care. CNAs attend the training during their scheduled work hours, and are paid their regular salary and benefits. Upon successful completion of the course, CNA Specialists take on new administrative and “specialty care” responsibilities and receive an increase in pay.
• Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
  NewCourtland opened its School of Practical Nursing at the NewCourtland Education Center in January 2010. It offers an 18-month program for working adults to become LPNs.

  Within New Courtland, LPNs play key roles in assisting nursing teams, administering medications, measuring vital signs, maintaining patient records, and monitoring treatment programs. They also take on the role of charge nurse in facilities, where they supervise CNAs and other staff.

• Registered Nurse (RN)
  NewCourtland supports its LPN staff in pursuing careers as RNs through tuition reimbursement and scholarships. RNs are important leaders within the NewCourtland Network, serving as advocates for the seniors under their care. They play a key role in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of NewCourtland’s clients and residents.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  NewCourtland offers additional opportunities, including scholarships, for RNs to advance their education through BSN and MSN programs. Graduates of these programs are guaranteed a position within the NewCourtland network.

The Ladder of Opportunity program is the cornerstone of the Employee PRIDE (Provide Respect, Incentives, career Development, and Education) program that also includes:

• YOUrHOME – This employer-assisted home ownership program offers employees up to $3,000 towards closing costs for the purchase of a home.
• Non-credit English and math skills training – For some staff who are preparing for ascending the “ladder,” NewCourtland offers non-credit English and math courses at the Education Center. The Community College of Philadelphia faculty teaches these courses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – The EAP offers confidential assistance for a variety of personal and professional concerns.
• Neighbor-to-Neighbor – This employee-referral bonus program offers employees $1,000 for referring an RN or LPN who is then hired, and $300 for any other hired positions within the NewCourtland Network.
• In Good Health – NewCourtland’s employee wellness program organizes educational sessions, health fairs, and other group activities to encourage employees to live healthier and more balanced lives.
• Tuition reimbursement– Regular full-time and part-time employees who work 15 hours or more per week and who have completed 90 days of continuous employment are eligible to apply for tuition assistance and can receive up to $2,000 annually (for full-time employees). Part-time employees can receive up to $1,000 annually.

Outcomes

While the PRIDE program has not been formally evaluated, internal measurements, such as low turnover rates, indicate that various components have been effective.

The following statistics indicate that CNAs are making use of the system’s career advancement opportunities:
Since the program was established in 1999 through July 2009:

• 517 staff members have been enrolled in the Ladder of Opportunity program.
• 218 CNAs have completed a seven-week program to become CNA Specialists
• 47 non-clinical staff members have completed training to become CNAs
• 167 staff members have received scholarships to continue their educations as RNs, BSNs and MSNs
• 38 employees have completed training to become LPNs

Weekly staff gatherings at all NewCourtland sites— called “information sessions” — have yielded anecdotal evidence that the PRIDE initiative and Ladder of Opportunity program is incentivizing workers:

• CNAs who have taken the non-credit courses for developing English and math skills said they would never have taken the classes if NewCourtland hadn’t paid for them.
• Staff mentioned that offering courses at the NewCourtland Education Center made it possible for them to attend. As one nurse put it: “The only way NewCourtland could make it easier for me to go back to school was to offer classes in my living room.”
• Scholarship recipients said they would not have been able to complete their educations without NewCourtland’s scholarship assistance.
• Employees expressed the belief that NewCourtland’s educational program is developing a loyal group of people who intend to stay in the NewCourtland Network for a long time. Collectively, employees who have benefited from NewCourtland’s educational assistance are very appreciative, saying they could or would not have gone to school without help. They feel they are the future leaders within the organization and are proud to be employed in the NewCourtland Network.

Lessons Learned

NewCourtland’s career development and employee support programs have always had strong support from the board and top management, something that helped to sustain and grow the program over time.

“The consistent and abiding support these programs received from our board and management staff helped instill a positive attitude about career development throughout the organization,” said Kathie Brogan, MSN, MSHEd., RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Education at NewCourtland. “This was critical in the early years, but remains important as the program continues to grow.”

Sponsoring Organization: NewCourtland is a leading non-profit provider of community services, affordable housing, and nursing homes for seniors in the Philadelphia area.

Start Date: NewCourtland initiated its “Employee PRIDE” and “Ladder of Opportunity” programs in 1999. The completion of the NewCourtland Education Center in 2004 and the expansion of that facility and program in 2009 and 2010 provide much needed certificate and licensing programs.

Additional Resources: See the Press Room at the NewCourtland website.

Contact Information:

Angela M. Brown, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs
1845 Walnut Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
anbrown@newcourtland.org | 215-965-2386 | WEBSITE