With the COVID-19 pandemic on in its second year, the obvious strain on the health care community cannot be understated. There were days many people were concerned about even getting a hospital bed for their ailments. And there are still days many healthcare organizations spend time worrying about having enough staff to take care of their patients in those beds due to the nursing shortage.

Now more than ever, is it vital for your healthcare facility to know what drives nurse recruitment and retention. Here, we’ll discuss ways you can improve your facility’s nurse retention rate and how to recruit nurses.

Offer competitive pay and benefits

Nurses are some of the most highly-skilled and in-demand professionals in the country. To compete for their services, you need to offer competitive pay and benefits. It may include health insurance, 401k plans and paid time off. This will help lower nurse turnover and increase satisfaction and retention.

Promote a positive work environment

One way to create a positive work environment is to promote open communication and collaboration among nurses, doctors and other staff members. It can help create a team-oriented atmosphere where everyone feels like they’re working together for the common good. Nurses want to feel valued and appreciated at their job.

A positive work environment is essential for attracting and retaining nurses and will help to lower turnover rates. Create a workplace that is respectful, supportive and fun. Encourage teamwork, offer employees opportunities to socialize and show your appreciation for a job well done.

Offer continuing education opportunities

Nurses, even after nursing school, are lifelong learners who want to stay up-to-date on the latest medical advancements. To attract and retain nurses, offer continuing education opportunities that further their education and career. It could include tuition reimbursement, paid time off to attend conferences or access to online courses.

Provide ample opportunity for career advancement.

Like people, nurses want to feel like they’re growing in their careers. To provide ample opportunity for career advancement, create a clear path for nurses to move up in the organization. Offer mentorship programs, leadership development courses and promote nurses who take on new challenges.

Reward hard work and dedication

Nurses work hard and often put their patients first. Show your nurses how much you appreciate their dedication by rewarding them with bonuses, paid time off or special privileges like a private room for break time. It will make them feel valued, appreciated and motivated to continue providing high-quality care.

Encourage a healthy work-life balance

Nurses need time to rest and recharge, just like everyone else. Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible scheduling, telecommuting options and paid time off for vacation and illness.

Nurses often work long hours, which can be super stressful and lead to burnout. To help prevent burnout, encourage your nurses to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Offer opportunities to work from home and regular breaks throughout the day.

Celebrate your nurses’ accomplishments

Nurses work hard and deserve recognition for their achievements. Celebrate your nurses’ accomplishments with a special dinner or award ceremony. Let them know how much you appreciate their hard work!

They work hard to provide the best possible care for your patients. They deserve to be appreciated and thanked for their dedication to their job. Send them a card, give them a raise or simply say “thank you.”

Thanking your nurses for all they do is important, but it’s also crucial to celebrate their accomplishments. Show your nurses how much you appreciate them with a special dinner or award ceremony. Let them know how much you value the high-quality care they provide!

Advocate for your nurses

Nurses often put their own needs aside to care for others. But it’s important to have someone who will speak up for them when they can’t speak up for themselves. Be an advocate for your nurses by speaking up for them in meetings, defending their decisions and fighting for their rights.

Listen to your nurses

Your nurses are the experts on the front lines of patient care. They know what works and what doesn’t work in the healthcare system, such as what treatments work best for certain diseases or what is causing patient satisfaction to decline.

Listen to your nurses, and use their insights to improve the quality of care you provide. Their input is invaluable in making your facility the best it can be.

Work with a healthcare staffing agency

One of the best recruiting strategies is to work with a healthcare staffing agency. Staffing agencies have access to a large pool of nurses and can help you find the best nurse for your facility through their job posts.

If you’re still wondering how to retain or attract nurses, TinkBird can help. For more than a decade, TinkBird Healthcare Staffing has placed top talent throughout the healthcare industry. Contact us today to learn more about finding the right nursing candidates for your facility.