Article offers advice on growing nursing workforce

To improve recruitment and retention, nursing leaders should offer flexible scheduling features to better accommodate individual needs. Peoria, Ill.-based OSF Healthcare, for example, offers premium salaries for weekend shifts to attract experienced candidates who want to work fewer hours overall. Other systems allow nurses to rotate and change units. Leaders also should listen to front-line nurses to determine the factors making them want to stay in or leave a position and then offer solutions to retain them. Mentorship between experienced and novice nurses is key for retention. Health systems should outline clear steps for career advancement and provide tuition reimbursement and professional development. (HealthLeaders Media article, 5/15/24)