Employers often view hiring nurses for flexible roles such as per diem or part-time as a temporary solution. They need a qualified “placeholder” until a more permanent candidate becomes available. But that’s a missed opportunity for healthcare organizations. Many of the strongest and most reliable staff members in healthcare settings started in flexible roles.
It isn’t always easy to identify long-term potential in those nurses hired for flexible roles. You need to look past their immediate clinical skills and assess the skills they need to work for your organization long-term. You’ll need to look for real-time examples of the nurses’ ability to adapt in your ever-changing environment, their readiness to learn, how they react in high-stress situations, and most importantly, how they align with your organization’s culture.
Looking Beyond the Credentials for Patterns
A nurse’s resume tells you what the individual has accomplished in their career. Their credentialing is important, but so are the patterns they exhibit in their work tenure. Look for nurses who show a desire to grow in their career. The nurse who leaves a position after three or four years to move on to a different specialty, or the one who moves from a small clinic to a larger healthcare facility, shows intentional growth.
Take note of how their responsibilities change over time. A nurse invested in their career will rise to the occasion to grow and learn, and this is exemplified through evidence like precepting students, earning certifications, and taking on opportunities to improve.
What Draws Them to Flexible Roles?
Yes, you know the nurse wants a flexible role, but why? Some nurses prefer these roles because they support different goals. A nurse who desires part time may be pursuing an advanced degree, or choosing to step back temporarily to care for their family. Some nurses desire these roles because of the clinical experiences they offer. The resume-building advantages of such jobs are ideal for nurses who want to expand their skill set. Ask how this role aligns with the nurse’s five-year picture. This allows you to identify whether they will be open to staying on when circumstances change.
Do They Exhibit a Continuous Learning Mindset?
Long-term potential and a desire to learn really go hand-in-hand, no matter the career. In healthcare, it’s essential to possess a curious nature. Ask them about any near-misses or mistakes made in their time as a nurse (we all make them!) and what changed in them afterward. Those nurses with long-term potential don’t react in a defensive way. Instead, they take ownership and willingly describe the changes they’ve made in their practice due to the event(s). Inquire about recent learning opportunities they’ve experienced. If the nurse asks about things like cross-training, tuition support, or certification opportunities, they are long-term material.
How Do They Fit With Your Team?
No matter how much a nurse may look good on paper and shine in an interview, for long-term potential they must be an asset to your team. Nurses with long-term potential respect each staff member, no matter their role. These nurses are comfortable asking for help and jumping in to help a team member. And nurses who can go the distance within your organization are clear communicators, necessary for successful handoffs.
The Part You Play in Long-Term Potential
Identifying long-term potential requires input from the healthcare organization as well. You must be able to communicate in a strong and effective way in order to engage flexible staff. Do you offer a path to career growth? Is there a real opportunity to become core staff? Can you provide the necessary training and certification for specialized roles? Let your nurses know this, especially those in flexible roles. These nurses are far more likely to commit when they understand the stakes.
Nurses in Flexible Roles Can Become Long-Term Assets
Don’t mistake a flexible role for one that’s short-term. A nurse who invests in learning, adapting, and fitting in with the culture is advantageous to any healthcare organization. For more on how you can find quality nurses for flexible roles to fill your needs, reach out to BOS Medical Staffing today.
