Developing and Retaining Homecare Nurses Through Employer-Based Tuition Assistance Programs: A Mixed Methods Study.

Purpose: This study describes how an employer-based tuition-assistance program for homecare workers at one Canadian homecare organization enabled nursing career advancement and retention.

Design: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design.

Methods: We reviewed existing administrative data and concurrently conducted semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used on quantitative data and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. A joint data display was developed to integrate findings from both quantitative and qualitative data together.

Findings: Tuition assistance reduced financial barriers to career advancement; 83% of recipients remained with their employer for at least 1-year post-studies but only 29% experienced career advancement. Psychosocial supports, career navigation and coaching to ease the licensing and role transition processes were identified as opportunities to support learners.

Conclusion: Employer-based tuition assistance programs are impactful in helping to develop skilled employees. Practical enhancements to further support career transitions may maximize retention to address urgent homecare staffing challenges.

Clinical evidence: Employer-based tuition assistance can be a useful strategy to support nursing career growth and staff retention.