An app and online platform implemented at St. Louis-based Mercy was able to attract and retain nurse talent, alleviating the burden of staffing shortages.
A pilot program featuring an app and platform, that allows Mercy's full-time and part-time employees and other experienced registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to easily pick up extra shifts, was deployed at Springfield, Mo.-based Mercy Hospital, according to a May 9 press release.
During the pilot, the program allowed more than 50 nurses to pick up extra shifts, alleviating the stress surrounding staffing issues.
"I used to spend so much time calling our nurses during their free time and asking them to pick up shifts so I could get the schedule filled," said Karla VanHorn, nurse manager at Mercy Hospital. "Once the pilot started, we could all easily see the schedule and the open shifts. Our core nurses would pick them up, or gig nurses would. I no longer constantly look at the schedule, and when our nurses come in, they aren't concerned about being short staffed, either. Even better – I'm no longer bothering them when they're off, asking them to work."
Due to the pilot's success, Mercy will roll out the program throughout its healthcare system with the aim of reducing the workload of their nurses.