Two health systems in North Dakota are getting creative in addressing the nurse shortage, according to a report from The Bismarck Tribune.
Fargo-based Sanford Health, which had 112 registered nurse positions open as of March 6, has used signing bonuses to attract more nurses. In December, the health system offered a $20,000 bonus for nurses with one year of experience, said Jan Kamphuis, PhD, RN, executive vice president and CNO of Sanford, according to the report.
The system also hired a nurse recruiter in December, who visits North Dakota colleges and promotes nursing at Sanford, according to the report. Additionally, Dr. Kamphuis told The Bismarck Tribune, Sanford partnered with North Dakota State University in Fargo to create a nursing program and had its first graduating class in December. Thirty-one of the 36 graduates went to work at Sanford.
Sanford's other recruitment efforts include hiring a company to attract more nurses from other countries. According to the report, Sanford Bismarck (N.D.) hired several nurses in August, including a nurse from Nicaragua and another from the Philippines, and Mercy Medical Hospital in Williston, N.D., hired 12 international nurses through the company.
"The goal is hopefully at the end of their two-year contract, they will commit to stay in the community," Dr. Kamphuis told The Bismarck Tribune.
CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck also has hired international nurses, who will begin their jobs next week, according to the system. And, according to the report, St. Alexius' nurse recruiter Tabitha Beede is working to recruit and retain more millennial-age nurses.
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