Children’s National Health System recently won a 2016 Helios HR Apollo Award™ for innovative talent development practices in Nursing and was recognized in the Mentorship and Coaching category. Hosted by Helios HR, the breakfast awards ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va. with 500 Greater Washington leaders in attendance on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
“At Children’s National, we value our nurses and make sure they receive the coaching, mentorship, and learning they need to be at the top of their field,” said Linda Talley, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s National. “Winning this award is a huge honor and shows that we go above and beyond to make sure our nurses have the skills and tools needed to provide the best possible care to our patients.”
"Talent continues to be the top challenge for CEOs around the world. We’re inspired by the great works of this community of like-minded leaders," said Kathy Albarado, CEO of Helios HR and Founder of the Apollo Awards.
Children’s National supports a comprehensive and robust nursing education program that spans central and unit-based orientations, nurse residency, and specialized nurse fellowships (Critical Care, ED, Perioperative). As part of the onboarding experience, each nurse is paired with a nurse preceptor who has attended a preceptor class which focuses on being an effective teacher, mentor, and coach. Additional opportunities for professional development are leveraged through the continuing education program, simulation center, and formal mentoring program, providing a holistic approach to learning.
A formal mentoring program is also available for nurses throughout Children’s National. Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO of Children’s National, along with Linda Talley and Nursing leadership, advocate for and provide support of ongoing leadership development, and mentoring of clinical nurses at Children’s National. The mentoring program was designed and implemented based on data findings from a recent needs assessment when nurses across all levels ranked mentoring and coaching as an area of interest. The mentoring program is focused on developing career ladders and advancing individual’s professional development goals. To date the three mentoring cohorts have voiced the success of their partnerships on the mentees’ professional career development.
Finalists for the Helios HR Apollo Awards™ were judged by an independent panel of former Apollo Award winners, senior HR executives, and industry leaders in 10 categories: Assimilation and Onboarding; Employment Brand; Community Outreach; Mentorship/Coaching; Innovative Technology; Leadership Development; Culture; Communication; Recognition and Career Development.
In addition to this award, Children’s National was also recently re-designated as a Magnet® hospital, which recognizes nursing excellence. Only seven percent of hospitals across the country earn this designation. Of those hospitals, an even smaller percentage are pediatric hospitals, placing Children’s National among a very elite group of healthcare facilities nationwide.
For more information about Nursing at Children’s National, visit http://childrensnational.org/careers-and-training/nursing.
