Today’s hospitals need to do all they can to attract nurses. In the current healthcare landscape it’s essential to do all you can to make your workplace a nurse magnet. In other words, make your healthcare organization so enticing through best practices that nurses are flocking to you to hire on as part of your nursing staff.

But how do you compete for nurses in today’s environment?  Nurses are in very high demand right now as many age out to retirement and others are increasingly becoming burned out, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Here we offer strategies to help your organization become the hospital where nurses want to work.

1. Offer Competitive Compensation, Including Benefits

It seems like some hospitals are operating under the impression that attractive compensation is only monetary. While you must offer a competitive salary you also need to provide benefits that speak to nurses’ needs. Compensation and benefits like the following will have nurses flocking to your door:

• Bonuses: sign-on bonuses and referral bonuses as well as performance bonus and recognition and yearly retention bonuses offer incentive to work for your hospital and to stay there as well.
• Education Reimbursement: Bonuses to help cover the cost of furthering education as ultimately your hospital benefits.
• Flexible Scheduling: Scheduling should include the option of shorter shifts, self scheduling and part-time opportunities. This attracts nurses who must balance family and education with their work schedule. Be flexible and you’ll be a nurse magnet.
• Competitive Benefits: These are benefits that go beyond the traditional health care and delve into things like retirement planning, assistance with cost of child care, wellness benefits (fitness memberships and wellness retreats) and student loan forgiveness. 

2. Tout Your Career Advancement Paths

When nurses find out that you have a plan in place for career advancement they cant help but want to know more. Define your path clearly and concisely so there is no misunderstanding that you want to promote and advance nurses from within. Offer continuing education through workshops and certifications. Reach out to your local nursing school and form a partnership that’s beneficial to both by furthering your staff’s educational goals and providing opportunities for students too.

3. Ensure Your Nurses Safe Staffing Levels

Ask any nurse today what concerns them the most and invariably short-staffing will be on the list. Not only are low staffing levels unsafe for patients but they can trigger burn out pretty quickly among your nursing staff. Instead make sure you have safe levels of staff and no one person is overburdened. Be supportive of your nurses and create a care environment that’s beneficial for patients and nurses alike. 

Can’t increase the staff level immediately? If need be, increase the support staff and assign appropriate tasks to your medical assistants, CNAs and even admin temporarily. Partner with BIS Medical Staffing to help.

4. Foster a Positive Culture in The Workplace

Make your hospital an affirming place for nurses to work. Communicate openly, address concerns immediately, show respect for your nursing staff and appreciate their input. A positive culture is identified by satisfied staff. And word will get around among the nursing community. 

Further demonstrate your respect and concern for a positive workplace culture by promoting emotional wellness. Patient care is often a grueling job and can take an emotional toll. Promote wellness initiatives, counseling services, stress management classes and prioritize the emotional wellbeing of your nursing staff.

5. Equip Your Hospital for Today’s Nurses

Invest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment that helps your nurses effectively perform their job. Provide adequate training on software and tools that make your nurses’ work more efficient and benefit your hospital in the long run. 

Also, make your hospital a safe environment for your staff as well as your patients. Offer training to deal with aggressive behaviors and physical threats. Increase your security staff and address any concerns for safety immediately. To be a nurse magnet begin by protecting your nurses. 

There you have it-5 ways to make your hospital a nurse magnet. To find out all the ways we can help contact BOS Medical Staffing today and get an edge on the competition.