May 10 , 2007
Contact:
Bärbel Hatje
Corporate Communications & Public Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 75947
London Health Sciences Centre hires 220 nurses - Hospital on the road to hire 450 nurses this year
(LONDON, Ontario) – Calgary, Houston, Florida, Atlanta … London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has set its compass throughout North America to recruit nurses and bring Canadian nurses back home.
LHSC has fixed a target of hiring 450 full time and part time nurses this year in order to fill nursing positions throughout the hospital. Attending career fairs and conferences outside and in Ontario, a relocation reimbursement program, and extensive web-based advertising are some of the initiatives designed to attract new recruits.
So far these strategies have paid off. Since January, LHSC has hired 220 nurses representing a mix of 145 recent graduates and 75 experienced nurses who have staggered start dates over the next two months. Overall, LHSC employs just over 3,000 staff in nursing positions.
“We are delighted by the number of nurses who have accepted our offer of full time employment. I think this speaks not only to our recruitment efforts, but also to the quality of our workplace,” says Steve Coulahan, Director of Human Resources. “We have full time interesting, challenging, rewarding nursing vacancies at LHSC and we really do want to break the myth that there are no nursing jobs here.”
Bringing Canadian-trained nurses back to Canada is another strategy LHSC is pursuing.
“For years, Canadian trained nursing graduates were heading to the States to begin their careers. We’re hoping to bring them back home, back to their home communities, and hopefully back to London,” says Coulahan.
As a multi-site teaching, research and health-care facility, with many specialty areas, there are plenty of opportunities for nursing staff to try something new.
“London Health Sciences Centre offers an environment where nurses make a substantial and meaningful contribution to care and care decisions. There is strong nursing leadership and effective nurse-physician collaboration,” says Sandra Letton, Integrated Vice President of Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Executive.
“Our nurses are given extensive orientation. As well, all new nurses have an experienced preceptor. Most units have clinical educators and advanced practice nurses to further support professional development via on-site programs, technology training updates, and more. Funding support opportunities, and bursaries are available for continuing education, including post-RN and master's programs.”
With turnover rates lower than the provincial average, flexible and self-scheduling options and full time, part time, reduced full time and job share roles, London Health Sciences Centre remains attractive to new and experienced nurses.
So everything is in place for 450 new nurses as London Health Sciences Centre reaches towards its recruitment goal.
LHSC’s new toll free recruitment line is 1 877 LHSC JOB or 1-877-547-2562
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs. Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number more than 9,000 and together provide care for more than 1 million patients last year.
