UK HealthCare hires over 300 nurses in program aimed at addressing workforce shortage
By Alexa Wingate
University of Kentucky
As part of the latest step to hire thousands of health care workers over the next decade, UK HealthCare has hired more than 300 registered nurses through a new initiative called the New Graduate Recruitment program.
The new program allows hiring managers and new graduates to connect and speeds up the hiring process. The RNs were hired from the 2023-24 graduating classes of nurses nationwide.
“Previously, the hiring process took two to three months, requiring excessive administrative time in scheduling, delay in offers and subsequent onboarding,” said nurse recruiter Graig Casada. “A dedicated, concentrated new hire interview blitz over the course of two to three days is much more efficient.”
The program includes both in-person and virtual interviews. All in-person interviews were conducted at a centralized UK campus location during a multi-day event. The virtual option allowed the hiring managers to connect with students nationwide to see how they could potentially begin their careers at UK HealthCare. Leaders say the program will help to serve the people of the commonwealth effectively.
“It’s essential that we continue to introduce well-trained new graduate registered nurses,” said Nichole Stewart, enterprise director of UK HealthCare’s recruiting effort. “Our responsibility goes beyond providing care to our fellow Kentuckians today. We must also prepare the next generation of health care professionals who will carry on this tradition of excellence for years to come.”
As part of the program, UK HealthCare hired 328 nursing graduates from 40 colleges and universities nationwide, including nearly 20 colleges in Kentucky. Of those hires, 141 graduated from UK College of Nursing, thus keeping these talented caregivers in Kentucky and close to their alma mater.
The nurses are working across 45 departments in the hospital including the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, the emergency department and other units.
Casada said UK HealthCare benefits make it easy for nurses to “find a home here.”
“If you can practice nursing safely, competently and confidently at UK, you can practice anywhere,” she said. “Our pay remains competitive and our outstanding benefits are second to none. Shift flexibility and opportunities for professional growth and development abound.”
UK HealthCare will host another RN hiring event through the New Graduate Recruitment program Nov. 13-14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Cornerstone. Registration for the event for both in-person and virtual interviews will be available soon.
Kentucky Health News is an independent news service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, based in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.
