CNOs discuss effective nurse recruitment strategies

CNOs should develop partnerships with educational institutions serving students as young as middle school to bring potential nursing recruits into their hospitals, according to a HealthLeaders Media CNO panel. Organizations should offer internship and residency opportunities for novice nurses to become familiar with their health system and its various departments. Health care organizations should offer flexible scheduling for nurses who cannot work full time. In addition, panelists recommended CNOs involve front-line nurses in the recruitment and onboarding process, as well as invite them to suggest skills needed in their units in order to seek out candidates demonstrating those skills. Preceptors who can form strong mentoring relationships with novice nurses also help with retention, the panel said. (HealthLeaders Media article, 2/11/26).