The New Health Care Bill May Help Nurses
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSPWhile many debate the pros and cons of the new
Health Care Bill, it seems it will include programs
that may benefit nursing.
Some of the provisions that will most directly affect nurses are under the Reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. These programs, under the Public Health Service Act, [...]
Recruit Your kids as Nurses!
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSPWhether on an official Bring Your Child to Work Day, or any other day, take your sons and daughters with you to work for a day.
Let them see what you do, the difference you make.
Sometimes it’s good to have them follow another of your staff member too. This is a great way to recruit nurses [...]
“Longevity” Bonus
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSPI’m hearing more and more about hospitals offering a “Longevity bonus.” Nurses who stay 2 years get $2000. After 5 years, $5000; 10 years $10,000;20 years, $20,000!
When we consider that it costs a minimum of $62,000 to hire and train a new nurse, this is a great nurse retention idea.
I’ve got lots more tried and [...]
Boost Nurse Morale During Recession
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSPMany hospitals have dealt with cutbacks from lower patient traffic during the recession. The census is often lower so they had to flex people off. This does affect nurse morale.
Scheduling changes, such as moving from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts, meant that scheduling could be juggled to allow cutbacks without affecting nurses so dramatically.
Still, as [...]
Stimulus Funds To Train Medical Workers
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSPNew funding has been proposed in order to decrease the effect of health care worker and nursing shortages. The United States Labor Secretary, Hilda Stolis, has declared the government’s plans to release 220 million dollars of federal stimulus funds to training programs for workers in the medical profession.
The Labor Secretary revealed plans to stimulate the [...]