For healthcare organizations, the benefits of forging relationships with nursing schools and training programs within your community are exponential. You not only have a direct pipeline to source and recruit potential new hires, but your relationship also adds favorably to your brand. Participating in nursing school or training program job fairs and other events shows your support. The community recognizes your healthcare organization as being committed to the future of nursing.
In addition to building your reputation, relationships with nursing schools and training programs offer many key benefits. Here, we offer the top seven benefits your healthcare organization may gain from pursuing a relationship with nursing educational programs and schools in your community.
1. Access to The Most Qualified Candidates
As a supportive partner in nursing programs in your community, your organization has direct access to graduating nurses eager to start working. They are familiar with your healthcare organization and can help address staffing gaps.
2. Ability to Identify Talent Early
When you engage with students early in their nursing education, you have the unique ability to identify those talents that fit your needs. Your organization can support their clinical education by mentoring through preceptor roles.
3. Make Authentic Connections
Whether you’re interacting with faculty, administrators, or students, strive for an authentic connection. The more amiable potential employees feel and the more connected to the healthcare organization the more likely they will stay a member of your staff.
4. Your Facilities Benefit from Clinical Placement
Clinical rotations are a significant part of nursing education. Healthcare organizations already in relationships with nursing schools and training programs can provide valuable hands-on experience and possibly recruit new hires before nurses graduate.
5. Career Development Through Mentorship
When your organization establishes relationships with administrators and educators within the program, you’re in the unique position to offer mentorship to future nurses. Forge your connection and gain access to the brightest and most capable soon-to-be graduates when you provide guidance, help nurses plan their careers, and recognize their needs.
6. Help Your Organization Grow in The Right Direction
A huge part of your brand is found in your company culture. Nurses who see an organization that’s willing to grow with the times and recognize the needs of their staff is an organization to which employees will flock. Having a relationship with nursing schools and training programs in your community allows you to see just what these future nurses prioritize and make any necessary adjustments to your workplace culture.
7. Influence Over Curriculum
Your partnership with these schools and programs is collaborative. With that in mind, you may have some sway over the curriculum. You are on the front lines, so you know the skills that are relevant to healthcare in today’s landscape. Provide input that helps schools and nursing programs direct the curricula in a way that prepares nursing students for what’s to come.
How to Ensure Relationships with Nursing Schools and Training Programs Remain Beneficial
Connecting with nursing schools and training programs in your area isn’t enough. Being present at job fairs and other events helps, but your consistent engagement with faculty and administrators helps you maintain your connection. Offer high-quality clinical rotation experience, make yourself available as a speaker, and recruit your best nursing staff to visit the school when relevant.
Further solidify the relationship by understanding the objectives of the program and making sure they align with your workplace culture. These are the actions of a committed partner in the nursing school and training program relationship,
For more suggestions on how your healthcare organization can benefit from relationships with nursing schools and training programs, please reach out to BOS Medical Staffing.
