How to Recruit and Retain Millennial Nurses

If you’re looking to hire millennial nurses at your organization, it’s important to know what they’re looking for, as well as changes your company can make to gain a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting top talent.

So, how do you do that? Here are five ways to attract and retain Gen Y nurses:

1. Invest in up-to-date technology and equipment
2. Encourage work-life balance
3. Create a transparent company culture
4. Communicate your company values
5. Offer professional development programs

1. Invest in Up-to-Date Technology and Equipment

Millennials have grown up in the digital age and are accustomed to using the latest computers and devices at home and in the workplace. While it’s not necessary to buy iPads for each nurse, you will find that millennials are more easily frustrated with out-of-date or slow equipment. They will push for streamlined, modern technology to make processes more efficient.

2. Encourage Work-Life Balance

While it can be difficult to do in a busy healthcare setting, it’s vital to offer your millennial nurses more in terms of work-life balance. Younger nurses want more flexibility with their schedules. Consider offering rotating shifts or, if possible, allowing nurses to pick a shift that works best for them. Provide other benefits that encourage good work-life balance, like ample paid time off (PTO) and backup care.

3. Create a Transparent Company Culture

One of the quickest ways to lose employees is to keep them in the dark about important news or make big decisions without any input from them. Millennials are used to having information at their fingertips. They also want to know their voice is heard. Learning about important company news at the same time as the general public will lower their trust in leadership and make them feel undervalued.

Another way to help create a transparent culture at your organization is to conduct employee feedback surveys to find out what your nurses want most. Whenever possible, make changes based on their feedback.

4. Communicate Your Company Values 

Millennials are typically values-driven and committed to finding a company that helps them achieve this goal. Millennials’ search for ethical, socially-minded companies aligns with the interests of many nurses who chose their profession to make a difference in patients’ lives. They want authentic leadership and established programs that give back to the community.

Make sure your entire team, from medical staff to administrators, knows your company values. You may also want to offer more ways for your team members to give back to the community, such as working with health nonprofits or having volunteer days.

5. Offer Professional Development Programs

Encourage employees to learn new hard and soft skills by creating professional initiatives like trainings, mentorship programs, and professional development stipends. These programs will help you attract and retain all employees, not just millennial nurses.

Keep Strengthening Your Team

These strategies for recruiting and retaining millennial nurses have the added benefit of improving your overall work culture so you attract and keep top talent of any age. Get more of the expert-recommended hiring advice you need to make your company even more successful.