Fletcher Allen Health Care Reaches First Milestone in Nursing
Recruitment and Retention Campaign;
28 Registered Nurses Signed to Date
BURLINGTON - Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that it has
reached the first milestone in its nursing recruitment and retention
campaign. Twenty-eight nurses have signed up through the program to
date.
The comprehensive recruitment and retention plan - which aims to hire
100 nurses in 100 days - is designed to attract nurses to the academic
health center and to retain the nurses who work there. The campaign runs
from August 2 to November 9.
In the first three weeks of the campaign, Fletcher Allen received 63
contacts and conducted 37 interviews, which have resulted in 28 nurses
who have increased their hours or joined Fletcher Allen.
Of the 28 nurses, five are Fletcher Allen nurses who increased their
hours; 16 are new to the organization; six are former Fletcher Allen
nurses who were re-hired; and one is a traveler, or temporary nurse, who
converted to permanent status.
"The success we've had to date is very encouraging, " said Chief Nursing
Officer Mary Botter, Ph.D., R.N. "This campaign represents a strong
commitment by Fletcher Allen to address our nursing shortage and enhance
our ability to deliver high-quality care."
Fletcher Allen and the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health
Professionals announced the 100 Nurses/100 Days campaign on July 30th.
The campaign includes a direct mail and advertising campaign and a
variety of financial incentives for:
* Current Fletcher Allen employees who refer nurses to Fletcher
Allen
* Current "per diem" nurses who increase their commitment to
either part-time or full-time
* Part-time nurses who increase to full-time
* Nurses who join the organization on a part-time or full-time
basis.
All sign-on bonuses are offered in two payments - half at 90 days and
the remaining half after one year, with a required employment commitment
of two years.
In the area of nurse retention, there are several ongoing efforts
already underway to help foster a work environment that ensures nurse
retention. In addition, following a series of discussions with the
Federation of Nursing and Health Professionals, Fletcher Allen has
agreed to take several actions to support retention, including reopening
discussions with the union about wages for current nurses.
For detailed information on the campaign, and a complete list of
financial incentives, visit www.FletcherAllen.org
and click on the 100 Nurses in 100 Days
symbol.