BayCare Expands Nurse Well-Being Program Systemwide

CLEARWATER, Fla., May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare Health System's successful effort to address nurses' stress is expanding across all 16 of its acute-care hospitals in 2025. The nurse well-being program will spread to more than 160 inpatient units, following a successful three-year pilot that significantly improved staff retention, communication and workplace culture.

The program, Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support, was originally piloted in select units over the past three years. Results from St. Joseph's, St. Anthony's and Winter Haven hospitals showed dramatic improvements in nurse burnout, workplace communication and turnover rates—key concerns in a post-pandemic health care environment.

Building on that success, BayCare began rolling out the program systemwide this April, starting with children's and women's units. The expansion continues in May, coinciding with national efforts to spotlight Mental Health Awareness Month.

"The nurse well-being program shines a light on ways we can help our nurses build resilience, navigate workplace challenges and develop strategies to maintain their well-being," said Trish Shucoski, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive at BayCare. "The expansion of the program is a testament to our commitment to nurse well-being. By fostering a supportive environment, we are not only enhancing the health of our nurses but also improving patient care outcomes."

BayCare was one of four health systems in the nation selected by the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) for the pilot project, Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support, which features the Stress First Aid (SFA) program, a peer-to-peer model originally designed for high-stress professions like the military and first responders. The program is partially funded by a grant of almost $500,000 received by BayCare from the ANF.

"Our team members are our greatest asset at BayCare. Prioritizing their well-being is not just a responsibility, but a commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving work environment," said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners.

Pilot Program Outcomes

The pilot's key improvements included:

• 34% reduction in overall burnout
• 82% increase in positive perceptions of leadership
• 34% improvement in perceived staffing levels for quality care
• 26% increase in meaningful conversations around patient care
• 0% turnover rate in the first year for new hires in four pilot units

"This isn't just another training or checklist — it's changing the culture," said program champion and BayCare's advanced nursing educator, Rocky Hauch, DNP, RN, PCCN. "It's not just about a person reaching out for help, or leadership identifying when someone is stressed. Colleagues support and look out for one another. It's on all of us to identify the signs of stress in the people we work with. "

The SFA model Is a self-care and peer support model that represents a balance between job demands and resources, focusing on team member well-being. It provides a shared framework and a common language for discussing stress and improving communication. 

SFA also focuses on peer support rather than relying solely on individual recovery and wellness. This program works in collaboration with existing services like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), nurse coaches and chaplains, making it an integrated piece of BayCare's broader well-being strategy.

Hauch said the program is already making an impact. "Our goal now is to bring this same approach to departments beyond nursing in 2026."

Leading the Way in Workforce Well-Being

The expansion of the Stress First Aid program builds on BayCare's growing national reputation for team member well-being. On May 1, BayCare was awarded the new Well-Being Excellence™ designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — the first and only health system in Florida to receive this honor. This designation reinforces BayCare as the best place to work, receive and provide care, and is inclusive of our well-being initiatives to build a people-first culture.

Learn more about BayCare's career opportunities and commitment to well-being: Careers at BayCare

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals, including a children's hospital, and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and West Central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org.

SOURCE BayCare Health System