The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the U.S. nursing field will have over one million vacancies by 2022, leaving health systems to implement strategies to recruit and retain nurses. For Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, these strategies include offering sign-on bonuses of $10,000 to $15,000 for experienced nurses and up to $25,000 for nurses in certain geographically challenged areas, a Tenet spokesperson confirmed to Becker's.
Tenet's sign-on bonuses are nationwide and part of the 74-hospital system's standard practice to hire experienced bedside nurses in areas facing tight job markets.
In California, Tenet is offering sign-on bonuses for the more difficult-to-fill nursing jobs at Doctors of Modesto, Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock and Doctors Hospital of Manteca, according to The Modesto Bee.
Tenet's move echoes recent efforts of health systems across the country, including Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth and Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System, which are also offering nurses five-figure signing bonuses to help mitigate the shortage.
Doctors of Modesto recently offered bonuses for nurses in neurosurgery and intensive care as well as $10,000 sign-on bonuses for neonatal intensive care and critical care nurses. Additionally, The Modesto Bee cited a recent job posting for Emanuel Medical Center, which lists a $15,000 sign-on bonus for an intensive care or critical care nurse.
This week, the three Tenet hospitals are hosting recruiting events for nurses, which include interviews and on-the-spot hiring decisions.