Description/Overview: The UnitedHealth Group Center for Nursing Advancement (CfNA) was launched in 2008 with the original business case based on achieving a significant reduction in nurse acquisition and turnover costs; soon, we learned that to achieve these goals, the focus needed to be on culture and the work environment. Over the past four years, the CfNA has evolved to encompass a full spectrum of robust personal, professional and leadership development programs that contribute to a core mission of addressing the health and well-being of company nurses, “growing” nurse leaders at every level of the organization, and energizing our nurses for expanding roles in solving the health care problems of today and tomorrow. Since inception, the CfNA has increased nurse engagement scores by 11% (now higher than non-nurses) and decreased voluntary turnover rates by more than 5%. In addition, CfNA-led telephonic Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programs have lowered stress, burnout, and improved the health and well-being of nurses, as measured on a number of indicators. CfNA-sponsored personal and professional development programs are producing a significant impact on nurse promotion rates, culminating in a 21% promotion rate, which is much higher than the general nurse and non-nurse population. This symposium focuses on the impact of a novel workplace program aimed at creating a work environment that is best practice; where nurses can be their best so they are positioned to “give their best.” The three elements of authentic leadership, meaningful recognition, and skilled communication will be illustrated in this powerful symposium. Each of the supporting abstracts will further illustrate how the Center for Nursing Advancement identified challenges in the target population and courageously drove solutions to create a healthy work environment and capacity in the largest group of health care professionals in our country: Nurses.

Learner Objective #1: Discuss how nurse-led innovation led to the creation of a healthy work environment.

Learner Objective #2: Explain ways to incorporate best practices into the learner’s organization.