New virtual NICU nurse program at American Family Children’s Hospital reduces turnover

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A new program at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison has helped new nurses adjust to the difficulties of working in a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.

UW Health explained Wednesday the virtual nursing program was introduced in July of 2024 to help lower the new-to-practice nursing turnover rate.

Before the implementation of the program, UW Health said new-to-practice NICU nurses had a 38% turnover rate between 2021 and 2023.

Three UW Health Kids NICU bedside nurses, Morgan Kuhl, Grace Long and Hailey Madson, helped lead the new virtual nursing program to help slow the turnover rate. And it’s working— UW Health said no new NICU nurses have left the department in their first year.

Each nurse works two six-hour virtual shifts a week, UW Health said.