Nursing shortage

[doodlemom]

We are having a difficult time recruiting nurses for our rapidly growing census. Any ideas out there? We don't care if they have hospice experience or not.

[andyg]

Hey doodlemom, you don't say where you're located. I know here in TN that many nurses want additional hours and are willing to do extra. So you might try posting at your local hosptial and checking with some of the HH agencies in your area. Another thing we have done is (we are part of a hospital but seperated) to orient nurses from the oncology unit during their hospital orientation. That way they are a little oriented to Hospice and we can use the Oncology nurses if their census drops. Hope this helps and good luck. Andyg

[doodlemom]

Thanks for the info. I haven't though about posting in the hospital. I'll check to see if the hospitals around here will let us post there (we are not affiliated with a hospital.)

[aimeee, BSN, RN]

Are you offering your nurses a recruitment bonus? Your own satisfied staff are your best resources.

As a long term strategy, having nursing students from the nearby colleges do a rotation day helps give them exposure and plants a seed.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Find ways to make yourself attractive. Push attractive scheduling, be very supportive ofyour staff, make sure that ancillary staff and MDs are supportive of nurses. Pay attention to their wants and needs.