Building Career Pathways from Within: Via Christi’s Vocare Program Strengthens the Workforce
Strategies that address workforce recruitment and retention are essential to providing optimal health in Kansas. The Workforce Strategies Award recognizes a team of employees, providers or volunteers who have significantly contributed to the well-being, retention or recruitment of health care workers at their facility.
The University of Kansas Health System’s Nursing Recruitment and Retention Team was established to address the growing national nursing shortage and strengthen the organization’s ability to recruit and retain nursing staff. Led by Jennifer McNiel, MSN, RN, CPHQ, with key roles added for Claire Sutherlin, BSN, RN, CCRN, and Anna Werner, MSN, RN, PCCN, the team developed a coordinated strategy focused on workforce planning, recruitment, retention, partnerships and process improvement.
The team implemented several initiatives, including the Nursing Extern program, Casual Connections recruitment events, scholarship programs, a revamped Nurse Associate position, Nurse Academy and expanded partnerships with nursing schools. The Nursing Extern program grew from seven externs in 2022 to 15 in 2023, with nearly 30 percent of eligible externs accepting RN positions at the health system. The team also formed relationships with 71 nursing schools, helping recruit 352 new graduate RNs in 2023. Scholarship efforts supported 42 employees who were promoted into RN roles.
These strategies produced measurable results. The percentage of filled registered nurse positions improved by 6 percent, increasing from 64 percent in 2022 to 70 percent in 2024. In FY 2023, the health system hired 286 entry-level RNs and 439 experienced RNs to fill 566.65 FTEs. Nursing turnover was 9.03 percent, well below the national average of 22.5 percent. Through strong collaboration with human resources, hiring managers, nursing leadership, marketing, preceptors and schools of nursing, the team improved candidate experience, streamlined hiring processes and created innovative pathways into nursing careers.