30 Nurses in 30 Days

Southeast Health has announced a hiring campaign called “30 in 30.” The hospital is hoping to hire 30 nurses over 30 days during the month of September.

Chief Nursing Officer Melissa Owens says hiring more nurses will improve the care of the patients as well as their overall stay at the hospital.

"What we're going to do with our 30 in 30 campaign is hopefully push forward with that, and ensure that we have enough resources available to our organization,” said Owens.

Owens believes in teamwork and that it takes a village to care for all of their patients.

She says "We do a 5-1 patient ratio for our nurses but we also provide them with support staff, such as PCA's, that allow them to help patients throughout their stay."

But not all of the nurses are part of the full-time staff.

"We have short-term what we call 13-week assignments, which are short-term assignments. Those are nurses that are traveling into the area from other parts of the country,” says Owens.

The hiring campaign aims to rid the need for short-term nurses and offers signing bonuses.

"We are offering a $15,000 sign-on bonus for nurses if they have 5 years experience or more. If they have less than 5 years experience we are offering them $10,000,” said Owens.

Registered Nurse Mike Mclaughlin believes hiring more nurses is good for the hospital.

He said "We're able to give more attention to the patients. More care. Give them a more satisfactory experience here.”

He believes Southeast Health is a great place for nurses to work.

"The atmosphere here, a lot of camaraderie. It's a good environment. Your opportunities are immense,” Mclaughlin said.

Southeast Health will be holding walk-in interviews every Wednesday in the month of September from 8 am to 5 pm.

Applicants can also schedule interviews by visiting southeasthealth.org