Nursing Field in the Field of Nursing

Nursing Field

In the field of Nursing there are a number of challenges that will have an impact on the ability to attract and retain qualified candidates. To fully understand how this is taking place requires comparing recruitment strategies and determining selection criteria. Together, these factors will highlight the best practices for locating competent personnel.

Compare recruitment strategies.

Two strategies that are used most commonly inside the industry include: traditional / online strategies and loan forgiveness. In general, traditional and online strategies are most popular among employers. This is because they believe that using these mediums will attract the right candidates. A few of the most notable include: help wanted advertisements in local newspapers, job fairs and posting on different online job boards. The effect of these activities is that most facilities are unable to address critical needs in a number of areas (i.e. pharmacists, radiologists, nurses, doctors and technicians). ("Health Care Recruiting Strategies," 2012)

Loan forgiveness is when the employer is providing the employee with some kind of benefit for working with them (i.e. The elimination of their student loans). According to a survey conducted by the National Association for Health Care Recruitment, they found that this is the most effective strategy for attracting qualified candidates. This is because health organizations have a number of different tools they can use to increase interest. These include: loan forgiveness, seasonal bonuses, short staff / critical vacancy bonuses, incentives for recruiters, extra compensation for night shift, relocation / start-up bonuses, certification pay and employee referral fees sign-on benefits. This is a superior strategy because it is providing nurses with added incentives. During the process of comparing job offers, is when these factors will play a critical role in their final decision. ("Health Care Recruiting Strategies," 2012)

As a result, the most effective strategy is loan forgiveness. This is because it is offering some kind of allowance that will increase the individual's total amounts of compensation. While traditional and online strategies are promoting the facility. However, they do not have any other kind of incentive for encouraging qualified candidates to apply. ("Health Care Recruiting Strategies," 2012)

Determine selection criteria.

To attract the best candidates, there must be a focus on certain criteria that will improve the ability of administrators to locate the right person. This means that there is an emphasis on: their levels of formal education, if some kind of certification or specialized training is required (beyond degree requirements), experience and the ability to work well with others. These general categories can be adjusted depending upon the level of knowledge required for performing different tasks. Over the course of time, this will help administrators to find qualified personnel who can address their underlying needs. (Marquis, 2009, pp. 251 -- 254)