Category: Blog

State College, Pa. –  Kristina Sanders, CNA, Progressive Care Unit, is a much valued part of the Mount Nittany Health family. Her colleagues describe her as a very hard worker and a true asset to the patients she serves.

Kristina epitomizes all of Mount Nittany Health’s values of caring, excellence, integrity, respect, teamwork, and stewardship. For the Employee of the Month Honor, she is being recognized for her caring demeanor; always being kind, compassionate, and thoughtful to everyone.

Her nominator said, “Kristina is an absolute MVP when it comes to all areas of her job responsibilities and beyond. She is highly dependable and accountable, and she always demonstrates excellent time management skills. Her demeanor is always professional and kind, and her compassion shines through in a very authentic way. Kristina remains calm and collected during very busy and stressful times. Her communication ensures accurate and safe patient care. It is always a delight to see that she will be the CNA on my unit during my shift.”

Kristina is from State College and has served the community as part of Mount Nittany Health’s team for four years. She was honored to be named Employee of the Month.

“I would not have been nominated without the constant support and encouragement from those who work in my unit,” said Kristina. “Each staff member plays an important role, and works together to serve the patients and community. I truly feel that I perform my best because of my incredible team. I am so appreciative of the many wonderful nurses and nursing assistants I have worked with over the past four years. Their leadership and friendship will have a lasting impact on me.”

When Kristina isn’t busy serving the community, she enjoys reading and journaling. She also loves spending time with her sweet cat, Cricket.

With 2,400 amazing employees, serving 19 locations throughout the Centre region, being selected as Employee of the Month is an incredible honor!  Kristina, thank you for all you do, and for contributing to our mission of “Healthier people, stronger community.”

Talent turnover isn’t simply about losing one person. It’s about losing a significant amount of knowledge and potential. In a study on workplace satisfaction, 75% of workers reported that their immediate boss was the most stressful part of their job. And that stress has a cost. While your best workers may be attracted to the company mission, a big reason they often leave is the manager. 

The Financial Impact of Talent Turnover

Unfortunately, the cost of one person leaving can be substantial. According to Gallup research, replacing an employee can cost up to one half to double their salary. Plus, when one person leaves, it can trigger a domino effect leading to more departures. When multiple employees leave, studies have found a problem manager is often to blame and, in addition to the lost talent, employee performance drops across the board. From profit margin to customer service, turnover weakens a company’s brand and bottom line. 

The Silent Killer: Turnover’s Effect on Morale & Company Culture 

It’s common for employees to build relationships with their co-workers. When one person leaves, employee morale takes a hit. Instead of seeing their friend at work, an employee might need to cover that person’s work until someone new is hired. Losing a professional relationship and taking on more work compounds the negative effects on staff. And if management contributed to the voluntary exit, then that worker may be the next to give notice.

Unsurprisingly, negative experiences stick around, disrupting the harmony within the company. If the leadership isn’t effective, it can turn the workplace from a place where ideas thrive into an environment where everyone treads carefully. This downward spiral not only hurts productivity it also affects the happy workplace culture business owners want. 

The Good News: Managers Are Also Part of the Solution

Leadership isn’t instinctive; it’s a skill that needs to be developed. The same research that found that turnover negatively affected workplace performance also found that good leadership could minimize these effects. When business owners invest in training their leaders, managers gain the necessary people and performance skills that improve work culture. 

Management Training

Investment can take many forms, such as leadership retreats, one-on-one coaching sessions, or pairing managers with mentors within the company. The goal is to cultivate a group of bosses who truly understand their teams. According to Wharton Business School, professional development empowers leaders with new skills and knowledge, which in turn provides a better skilled workforce, increases workplace satisfaction, and decreases turnover. 

Recognizing When It’s Not Working

Sometimes, a leader and their position just don’t fit. Making difficult decisions about leadership is hard but necessary. Pay attention to more turnover from the same department, which will often point you in the direction of the problem. Delaying could mean your business is stuck instead of moving forward. 

The Bottom Line

Leaders often mention their teams when discussing business success, but managers are often left to navigate alone. The reality is that managers are the stabilizing force that keeps the team in good shape.

If your business has been experiencing more turnover, experts advise looking beyond more money or benefits. Look closely at your team culture, especially at those in leadership positions. Often, that’s where you’ll find the problems. And that’s where you can fix them—with effective leadership.

Invest in your management relationships. In business, retention and progress go hand in hand. You’ve worked hard to build your business. Don’t let a misstep from the top send your best employees looking for new opportunities. 

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The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC. 

What job skills will be crucial to navigate the challenges of 2024? Bernard Marr, a best-selling author, esteemed futurist, and Forbes contributor, asserts that possessing the right skills within your team is critical for employers. He highlights the importance of skills that adapt to the ever-evolving demands of our time, emphasizing their value in staying relevant and successful.

The AI Challenge & Opportunity 

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) brings both significant challenges and exciting opportunities for businesses of all kinds. On one side, incorporating AI into business operations requires substantial investments in technology and training, while also navigating complex ethical and privacy considerations. On the flip side, AI unlocks incredible potential for innovation, empowering businesses to analyze vast datasets for informed decision-making, automate daily tasks for greater efficiency, and personalize customer experiences on a large scale. Thus, while AI presents challenges that need careful handling, its capabilities pave the way for reshaping business practices and reaching new heights of success.

Project Management in the Age of Technology

In the era of AI, project management becomes a key skill, holding things together to ensure tech works well for businesses. Good project managers not only launch AI solutions but also get the human-tech connection. They play a vital role in making AI tools boost human interactions, keeping tech and human skills in sync at work. Leading teams, strategy execution, and clear communication are crucial as companies blend AI without losing the human touch that sparks innovation, creativity, and client satisfaction.

Communication Remains A Top Skill 

In today’s rapidly changing economy, communication skills are becoming increasingly vital for employees in all industries. As AI technologies integrate and the need for collaborative and adaptive work settings grows, the importance of effective communication rises. Clear and concise communication not only improves team dynamics and technology integration but also bridges gaps between diverse working groups and global clients. Moreover, with remote work and digital platforms prevailing, the demand for strong virtual communication skills is more critical than ever, emphasizing adaptability and emotional intelligence for productivity and innovation.

Social IQ is a Company Asset 

Networking is a crucial business skill that goes beyond industries and job roles. It lays the groundwork for successful careers and companies, letting professionals forge relationships that open doors to career growth and a vast pool of resources and knowledge. Effective networking fosters collaboration and innovation by facilitating idea exchange, mentorship, and staying updated on industry trends. Those skilled in networking often navigate negotiations, influence decisions, and build trust with ease among colleagues and clients, highlighting its importance in the modern business landscape.

Cybersecurity for Small Business 

For small businesses, cybersecurity is crucial, especially in today’s digital age. Smaller enterprises, often seen as prime targets by cybercriminals, must focus on safeguarding their digital assets to protect their reputation, finances, and customer trust. Outsourcing cybersecurity services can be a smart choice, granting access to expert knowledge, advanced tech, and continuous monitoring. By partnering with cybersecurity professionals, small businesses can bolster their defenses while staying focused on growth, turning cybersecurity challenges into opportunities to strengthen their market position.

The Takeaway 

As we move forward into an increasingly digital era, the blend of technology and essential human skills is becoming the foundation of thriving in the modern workplace. Skills such as effective communication, project management, and a robust social IQ, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of AI and cybersecurity, are becoming indispensable assets for individuals and businesses alike. By fostering these skills, both employers and job seekers can compete and excel in a dynamic job market that values innovation, adaptability, and human-centric technology integration.

State College, Pa. – Mount Nittany Health is proud to announce that for the fourth year in a row the Mount Nittany Medical Center has been named one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek. Created in 2019, the ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ series includes data on over 2,400 hospitals across 39 countries.

Mount Nittany Medical Center is one of 26 hospitals in Pennsylvania to rank in the top 400 hospitals nationwide.

“It’s an honor to once again receive the prestigious recognition as one of the World’s Best Hospitals,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “I want to thank the hardworking Mount Nittany Health team, who truly go above and beyond to provide high-quality, compassionate care each and every day. The whole team should be proud that their dedication and commitment make Mount Nittany Medical Center one of the world’s best!”

According to Newsweek, “With so much at stake for individuals and institutions, reliable data is key. The Newsweek-Statista rankings provide crucial insights for patients, families and health care executives.”

Each of the ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ scores is based on an online survey of more than 85,000 medical experts and public data from post-hospitalization patient surveys on their general satisfaction. The score also considers metrics on things like hygiene and patient/doctor ratio as well as a Statista survey on whether hospitals use Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), which are standardized questionnaires completed by patients to assess their experience and results.

Since 1902, Mount Nittany Health has grown to serve more than 400,000 members of the community, and has more than 220 providers and 30 medical specialties serving six counties.

In addition to being named a “World’s Best Hospital” by Newsweek in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and “America’s Best Maternity Hospital” in 2023, Mount Nittany Medical Center earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for quality care and patient safety and a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.