How CommonSpirit is Redefining the APP Journey

Since launching its standardized Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Orientation Program three years ago, CommonSpirit Health has reduced its APP turnover rate from 15% to 12%, helping new APPs entering the organization feel more supported and clinically confident.

"Depending on the role, formal education programs for APPs can be general in nature, so when they graduate and enter a speciality, they need role clarity and fully supportive environments to thrive" said Margaret Cecil, System Vice President Advanced Practice at CommonSpirit. "APPs early in their career require a different level of support."

CommonSpirit's APP Orientation Program

To provide this support, CommonSpirit created a standardized orientation program that immerses new APP hires in their specialty. New APP hires are automatically enrolled in their clinical speciality and can complete assignments at their own pace, which allows flexibility for APPs with different levels of experience.

In addition to digital learning, new hires connect with a preceptor and orientation ambassador. The preceptor is a senior physician or APP who shares deep expertise in a given specialty, while the orientation ambassador tracks the new hire's progress and helps address any challenges or questions.

"This program gives new APP hires the clarity and support they need to transition successfully into their clinical practice," said Cecil.

Before the program, APPs reported 76% confidence in their ability to handle the clinical complexity and volume of patients they were expected to see. After going through the orientation program, that number increased to more than 90%. The structured support allows a new graduate at the end of their first year to perform at the level of a clinician with two to three years of experience, said Cecil.

CommonSpirit APP retention rate has increased to 87% overall compared to the national average of 70%.

"This automated, standardized program is humankindness in action, ensuring that every advanced practice provider, regardless of their state or specialty, starts with the same foundational training, connection and support," said Cecil.

From the Bedside to the Boardroom: CommonSpirit's Provider Leadership Academy

For APPs and physicians who want to expand their leadership skills even more, CommonSpirit has created a Provider Leadership Academy.

The program is a first of its kind to train physicians and APPs together in the same classroom. By breaking down professional siloes, the program fosters a culture of mutual respect and collaborative problem-solving.

Developed in partnership with the Creighton-Heider College of Business, the accredited program has been validated by an IRB-approved study, showing statistically significant improvements in well-being, engagement, and leadership confidence.

The program is currently serving its 6th annually-based cohort, and boasts a 94% retention rate among its more than 250 alumni, who remain engaged through alumni experiences and digital connections long after graduation.

"We aren't just teaching clinical leadership; we're teaching our providers how to 'zoom out,'" says Cecil. "Whether they are in California or Kentucky, our physicians and APPs learn that they are part of a larger system. They share problems, exchange strategies, and learn to lead as a unified team."