Expanding Specialty Area Recruitment to Address Nurse Vacancies

Hiring nurses during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was challenging because of limited availability of travel nurses and a decreased volume of experienced RNs, particularly in specialty areas. A tailored on-boarding and orientation structure was designed to support the new graduate nurse resident's successful transition into specialty practice. For each specialty area, a standardized six-part process was developed for determination of specialty area standards of practice, collaboration with department leaders, use of a standardized precepting model, identification and implementation of an orientation pathway, and finally, evaluation of outcomes. [.