Kaleida Health is one of 20 organizations selected to receive a 2025 Nursing Innovation Fund award. AARP and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN Critical-Care) have awarded over $355,000 for projects offering innovative and replicable solutions to strengthen the nursing workforce by creating and sustaining healthy work environments and improving recruitment and retention rates of registered nurses.
Strengthening the nursing workforce and sustaining healthy work environments are crucial to addressing a shortage that has already resulted in the loss of 100,000 registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, per a 2023 National Council of State Boards of Nursing report. Another 600,000 nurses have reported intent to leave the workforce by 2027, according to the same report, raising significant concerns for our nation’s healthcare system.
Creating healthy work environments is essential for recruiting and retaining a strong nursing workforce. Nurses cannot optimally contribute to care delivery across the continuum without healthy work environments. Healthy work environments reduce stress, enhance overall job satisfaction, and foster a sense of belonging for patients, families and healthcare team members.
Kaleida Health's project titled, “AI-Powered Wearables and Peer Support: Implications for Enhancing Healthy Work Environments for Nursing Teams,” will provide healthy work environment training, peer support sessions and wearable devices that measure health indicators for Buffalo General Medical Center's Medical Intensive Care Unit staff who are interested in participating.
"The goal of this project is to foster a healthy work environment and enhance civility among nursing teams," said project lead Emily Winters, DNP, MS, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, senior director of nursing excellence programs for Kaleida Health. "As part of the project, we will survey and gather feedback from direct care nurses. Ultimately, we hope to increase our nurses' overall health so they can thrive in their profession."
"Fostering a healthy work environment is not optional—it’s foundational. Supporting the health, resiliency and wellbeing of our nursing staff is essential to delivering safe, compassionate care. This project is just one of the many ways we are creating a culture where nurses feel valued, heard and supported," added Marjorie Quint-Bouzid, DPA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive for Kaleida Health.
“Nurses play a critical role in protecting the health of our nation, but they need healthy work environments to effectively deliver care,” said Alan Weil, senior vice president, public policy and director of AARP Public Policy Institute. “AARP is proud to provide ongoing support to ensure a strong nursing workforce across all care settings where nurses practice.”
“Nurses represent the largest segment of the health care workforce, which positions them as essential catalysts for addressing health care challenges while driving innovation and transformation in the field,” said Vicki Good, DNP, RN, CENP, CPPS, AACN chief clinical officer. “Creating supportive healthy work environments isn’t just beneficial for nurses, it creates a ripple effect that can improve patient outcomes and strengthen family experiences.”
The 20 funded projects are from Arkansas, California, Colorado the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Viriginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
AARP administers the award program.
Learn about the other projects: https://campaignforaction.org/our-network/grantee-and-award-programs/the-nursing-innovations-fund/2025-nursing-innovations-fund/
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the world’s largest specialty nursing organization, with more than 130,000 members and nearly 200 chapters in the United States. To achieve its vision of a health care system driven by the needs of patients and families, where nurses make their optimal contribution, AACN’s advocacy priority is to establish and sustain healthy work environments that support nursing excellence.