Lewiston-based Central Maine Healthcare is trying to offset a nursing shortage by recruiting outside the state, offering signing bonuses and providing programs to retain workers, according to the Bangor Daily News.
The three-hospital health system is trying to fill more than 50 registered nurse positions through the signing bonuses and out-of-state recruitment, the newspaper reported. This includes plans to hold a career fair in Ohio.
There are retention efforts underway as well.
"We have creative programs like robust tuition reimbursement to help nurses pay down their student debt," Mary-Anne Ponti, RN, MSN, vice president of nursing at Central Maine, told the Daily News. "We'll contribute to support retention."
The efforts come as states across the country are facing nursing shortages amid an aging population. In July, Kansas joined other states in allowing nurses to practice with one multistate license.
Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health and North Dakota State University, based in Fargo, announced a partnership this summer using a federal grant to develop a nurse practitioner residency/fellowship program for NPs working in rural clinics.
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