Hiring new grads allows the healthcare industry to continue growing, while adding new ideas and personalities to the field. About 45% of current healthcare professionals are aged 50 or older, emphasizing the need for younger talent. However, integrating new grads requires careful consideration due to their limited experience, balancing youthful energy with the demand for expertise in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. While hiring recent grads in the medical field has so many perks, there are also a number of nuances to be aware of. What makes healthcare hiring so difficult?
Setting aside new grads for a moment, there are several factors that contribute to the difficulty of hiring in the healthcare field. Nursing is a highly specialized industry, and the sensitive nature of the work makes hiring the right person a matter of utmost importance. While hiring recent nursing graduates offers numerous advantages, it also presents unique challenges inherent to the nursing profession.
Some of the factors that go into healthcare hiring are the need for in-depth background checks, the importance of comprehensive onboarding programs, high demand for qualified professionals, and employee retention rates. Let’s delve into some of the qualities that make hiring new nursing graduates especially finicky.
Hiring new grads as a healthcare recruiter
New grad nurses are up to date on the latest technologies and well-versed on the newest techniques. However, having less experience can make it hard to get up and running in any new job, especially in healthcare. Gaining familiarity with new software and patient management systems, ramping up after onboarding, and joining a team dynamic can all be difficult for any healthcare professional, and especially a new grad who’s early in their career.
Their fresh perspectives, knowledge on new technologies, and innovation skills make it worth the extra effort, though.
Challenges in hiring newly graduated nurses
However, the high demand for healthcare workers makes it essential that new grads are hired and brought into the field, and that they’re able to be coached by professionals who can mentor them successfully. For example, the US Bureau of Labor projected that the employment of registered nurses is projected to increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030, which is significant growth.
Healthcare recruiters must consider specific difficulties and obstacles faced when recruiting and onboarding new graduates in the healthcare sector. However, according to a survey by the American Association of College of Nursing, “For new BSN graduates, the job offer rate for schools in the South and the Midwest is 90%, followed by 77% in the North Atlantic, and 72% in the West. These rates for entry-level MSN graduates are 85% in the South, 83% in the Midwest and North Atlantic, and 71% in the West. These findings indicate that employment of new graduates from entry-level nursing programs is more challenging in different regions of the country.”
In order to conduct hiring, extensive background checks and credentialing must be completed, as well.
Background checks and credentialing for nurses
Background checks and credentialing are crucial in healthcare. Healthcare organizations need to conduct thorough background checks to verify the credentials, qualifications, and professional history of new grad hires. Background screening involves screening for criminal history, verifying educational credentials, and confirming any licenses and certifications that the student may have received.
Conducting thorough background checks allows employers to mitigate risks associated with hiring unqualified candidates and safeguard patient safety. In addition to background checks, credentialing allows new grad healthcare workers to practice both legally and ethically.
Credentialing involves assessing the qualifications, competency, and adherence to standards of practice for healthcare professionals. Overall, background checks and credentialing are indispensable tools for healthcare organizations seeking to hire and retain competent, qualified, and trustworthy new graduate healthcare workers.
What can recruiters do to ease the process of hiring new grads?
Healthcare recruiters are tasked with bringing in new nursing providers. Their success begins with a robust onboarding plan. Especially with new grad nurses and doctors, proper onboarding and training are crucial.
A comprehensive onboarding plan includes:
- Creating mentorship opportunities
- Implementing an onboarding program that will set new hires up for success
- Continuous training and education
- Shadowing and gradual integration into responsibilities
These strategies will help new hires assimilate and thrive. Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous learning and career advancement will create a powerful workplace culture and powerful growth environment. Furthermore, this will improve overall workplace retention and bring in interested new hires through referrals.
Healthcare recruiters are responsible for attracting, selecting, and onboarding new graduate nursing hires. Using best practices and the tips outlined in this article, they can effectively support new nurses as they transition into their roles and make valuable contributions to the healthcare team. By prioritizing comprehensive onboarding programs, mentorship initiatives, and continuous training and education, healthcare recruiters can ensure that new grads have the support and resources they need to succeed in their careers.
.png)