Friday, November 12, 2004

Collin Parker or MikeNoble

Public Relations

(802) 847-2886

Fletcher Allen's "100 Nurses in 100 Days" Campaign Ends; 113 Nurses Hired

BURLINGTON, VT - Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that it has concluded its campaign to recruit 100 nurses in 100 days, with the hiring of 113 registered nurses, who accepted jobs at Fletcher Allen.  The campaign ended on Tuesday, November 9th.

Of the 113 nurses, 58 are new to the organization; 44 are Fletcher Allen nurses who increased their hours; eight are former Fletcher Allen nurses who were re-hired; and three are travelers who converted to permanent status.

In the same time period, Fletcher Allen saw ten part-time or full-time nurses leave the organization, reflecting the current trend toward a lower level of turnover and attrition than in the past.

"Even though the '100 Nurses in 100 Days' campaign ended Tuesday, Fletcher Allen's efforts to recruit and retain a high-quality nursing staff did not end with it," said Chief Nursing Officer Mary Botter, Ph.D., R.N.  "This is just one step in the ongoing process to maintain Fletcher Allen's high level of care."

"Not only are we excited about the fact that we surpassed the goal of 100 nurses, but we are pleased at the high level of support for this significant step in addressing the nursing shortage and improving the quality of care for our patients," Botter said. "I would like to say a special 'thank you' to all of the nurses at Fletcher Allen for their continued dedication and hard work.  I also would like to thank everyone involved in welcoming and orienting these new nurses."

Fletcher Allen and the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals launched the campaign on August 2nd in an effort to attract nurses to the academic health center and to retain the nurses who work there.

The campaign included a direct mail and advertising campaign and a variety of financial incentives for:

• Current Fletcher Allen employees who referred nurses to Fletcher Allen
• Current "per diem" nurses who increased their commitment to either part-time or full-time
• Part-time nurses who increased to full-time
• Nurses who joined the organization on a part-time or full-time basis

All sign-on bonuses were offered in two payments - half at 90 days and the remaining half after one year, with a required employment commitment of two years.

In the area of nurse retention, there are several ongoing efforts already underway to help foster a work environment that ensures nurse retention.  In addition, following a series of discussions with the Federation of Nursing and Health Professionals, Fletcher Allen agreed to take several actions to support retention, including reopening discussions with the union about wages for current nurses.

For detailed information on nursing opportunities at Fletcher Allen, visit www.FletcherAllen.org. To reach a nurse recruiter call: 802-847-4429 or 800-722-9922.

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