Recruiting staff for LTCs

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

A few of us staff nurses are interested in approaching administration as far as the recruitment of new staff, mostly CNAs.

At the present time they are only posting occasional adds in a newspaper. Very rearely will we see something on line or in a major newspaper.

We are always in need of CNAs.

The area that these adds run in is close to the facility. The facility is located in a lower socio -econiomic area.

What we'd like to do is brodden the search...just a few miles even. There are tons of nursing schools in our area and hospitals, so we realize we need to compete with a few of the biggies.

Here is my questions? Most nursing schools will have a job boards or a program to help students find jobs. that is one place I'd like to start. Job fairs are another. I'm sure you probably need to pay to enter these...how much is average?

Where else can we go? I'd be willing to go to these places and do a little presentation if needed.

How are other LTCs getting creative in finding staff? Any ideas or input on this would help.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Help....anyone?

Should I post this in LTC? I had a similar post on the general forum, but wanted to hear from the persons that do this type of thing?

[fluffwad]

Every LTC needs more aides, but if you advertise all the time people get the impression that your facility is too desperate.

Our place started a weekend only program; flexible hours help but then you get into the problems where the aides want unrealistic amounts of flexibility.

Being in a poorer area of town might not help your situtation.......think of things that the admin. might be willing to do to make the job more attractive but won't cost a lot of money.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Thanks...They tried the weekend option thing, but didn't work because of some union issues. Thats one of the problems...dont' get me wrong about the unions, but sometimes it limits the things you can do.

We rarely advertise too. I understand the deperation thing. Seeing the same place in the want adds every week does make you wonder. Seeing the jobs listed for everyone starts the rumor mill running too.:chuckle

[L&D_2b]

A few of us staff nurses are interested in approaching administration as far as the recruitment of new staff, mostly CNAs.

At the present time they are only posting occasional adds in a newspaper. Very rearely will we see something on line or in a major newspaper.

We are always in need of CNAs.

The area that these adds run in is close to the facility. The facility is located in a lower socio -econiomic area.

What we'd like to do is brodden the search...just a few miles even. There are tons of nursing schools in our area and hospitals, so we realize we need to compete with a few of the biggies.

Here is my questions? Most nursing schools will have a job boards or a program to help students find jobs. that is one place I'd like to start. Job fairs are another. I'm sure you probably need to pay to enter these...how much is average?

Where else can we go? I'd be willing to go to these places and do a little presentation if needed.

How are other LTCs getting creative in finding staff? Any ideas or input on this would help.

Why not put a job posting in the student centers at local colleges (like community colleges that have nursing programs such as CCAC, CCBC and BC3 in Western PA? It's free there and you might be able to recruit some very qualified medical help (such as future nurses). I worked my way through college the first time as a CNA. Although I pursued a degree in education as a teacher the first time, it was my love as a CNA that has brought me back to the field to become a nurse.

Also, if you can work around class schedules or just hire for the weekends, you might really find a good response with the college nursing students.

Good luck!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Thanks....that what we were thinking. I remember checkint the job boards at nursing school. I did look into doing a booth at a job fair at Pitt its like $400. Just trying to gather ideas to approach the ADM with. Heck, I'd be willing to do most of the work/ talking if needed.

[donmomofnine]

We are a clinical site for the votech school and have had several students work as hospitality aides in our facility until they passed their test. They stayed and do a terrific job. We also are a clinical site for LPN students at the local comm college and that has supplied us with three nurses.

Job fairs don't work for us. We offer the NA classes. We offer a bonus to an employee that refers a friend. Some of the kids that start in our dining services while in HS will ask to be put in our class to become an NA.

We use a staffing agency (this particular one may be in your neck of the woods too) that allows you to buy out one of their staffers for $1000. that is worth it since you have had the person through the agency. This agency also does direct advertising for you for your own staff position. Again, you try them out and if you like them you pay the thousand.

We are also forming a shared pool among our sister facilities. Sometimes they don't have enough time avail for their pool staff and sometimes we don't. Sharing a pool benefits all of us. I agree with the advertising. I will advertise for ONE NA position ~ not stating shift or anything ~ and then when they call I ask them what they are interested in and often that happens to be the "position" I am advertising for!