Facing a nationwide shortage in nurses, University of Iowa Health Care will host a nurse hiring event for drop-in applicants until 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.
As the university expects more nurse residents to graduate in the next several months, they hope to hire staff for children and women’s services, medical surgery services, intensive and specialty services/emergency department, perioperative services, ambulatory and behavioral health services.
Qualified candidates could receive same-day offers, pending background and reference checks. Attendees will receive unit tours and can meet nursing leaders.
It is the first time UI Health Care is hosting drop-in applicants for a nurse hiring event.
“This is an exciting new way for nurses to get a taste of what’s great about working at UI Health Care without having to first apply and be invited for an interview,” said Pamela Johnson-Carlson, chief administrative officer at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and one of the nursing leaders attending the events. “Nurses will be able to see all areas they are interested in during one visit to the campus.”
“We’re trying to make the hiring process easier and more efficient so we can add even more great nurses to our team,” Ms. Johnson-Carlson added.
The university will hold another nurse hiring day 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 19.
Finding nurses — in an industry already experiencing staffing challenges before the pandemic — has caused UIHC to rethink how to best recruit talent.
“We’re constantly making enhancements to our digital advertising,” said Rebecca Schwertfeger, director of talent acquisition in UI Health Care Human Resources, in a statement. “We’ve also implemented more personal marketing strategies, such as personalized communications, as part of a direct mail campaign.”
She said the university is looking for candidates with a nursing license, interpersonal skills and written and verbal skills.
Registered nurses with more than two years of clinical experience can earn a sign-on bonus of up to $10,000, according to UIHC website.
