I've noticed many hospitals paying out bonuses up to five thousand for new hires/grads in an attempt to increase nurse retention. Let's say your hospital came to you and said "Nurse Smith" we empower you to implement one initiative to increase job satisfaction, and hopefully nurse retention. Cost is always an issue, but we will give you maximum leeway espeicially if you can make a strong argument.
Here are some things I might suggest:
1. Locker rooms where nurses could shower after their shifts. Seriously, who likes to drive home in need of a shower.
2. Twenty-four hour on site/ or almost onsite childcare that would be subsidized in part by the hospital.
3. A "meal card" which would entitle you to a certain number of free meals. Food is cheap and buys loyalty.
4. Free cosmetic procedures if the facility offered that service to the public. You would have to schedule during less busy times and be willing to let a resident do the procedure.
5. An onsite beauty shop that offered free hair/nail care for full time nurses.
6. I would try to offer a variety of MSN/NP programs and make them available free to full time nurses.
