Executive Summary
Responding to requests for high-quality workforce data at the local market level, Health Workforce Solutions LLC recently launched the Greater Los Angeles Labor Market Pulse (LMP). This actionable, market-based workforce analysis and planning tool helps health care organizations anticipate and meet their local workforce needs.
With help from LMP research contributors and research council members, LMP’s 2008 Greater Los Angeles Nursing Survey reached more than 330 pre-licensed nursing students. The results provide unique insights into the behaviors and decisions of nursing students in the local market. Interspersed with “LMP Opportunity Assessments” to help digest the data, these key findings include:
- Employers of Choice rankings and detailed profiles for the highest ranked organizations
- What student nurses most desire from their first employer in terms of rewards, formal training programs and more!
- Insights into job search time-frames, strategies and resources
- Educational debt profiles, employer assistance programs and work commitments after graduation
- Views on retirement, temporary leave and other workforce indicators
Greater Los Angeles Supports Innovative Education Programs
Los Angeles health care employers and educators have embraced innovative programs to expand access to entry level nursing education. Results from LMP’s 2008 Greater Los Angeles Nursing Survey suggest
- 45% of local students are enrolled in LVN-to-RN, accelerated Bachelors-to-BSN, or entry level MSN degree programs
- 1 in 10 local nursing students benefit from employer sponsored scholarships, tuition reimbursement and work study programs.
- A large number of students in work study programs are committed to work for the sponsoring employer after graduation.
Local student survey responses indicate that Kaiser Permanente makes significant investments in tuition assistance and work-study programs. These investments appear to be paying off.
Kaiser Permanente Voted the 2008 Greater Los Angeles Employer of Choice by Local Nursing Students
Local students who participated in LMP’s 2008 Greater Los Angeles Nursing Survey were asked to name their “Employer of Choice.” Detailed profiles for the top 6 “Employers of Choice” are available to LMP Research Council Members in the full version of this report.
LA’s Nursing Students also identified the following Employers of Choice:
Adventist Health, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Catholic Healthcare West, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Citrus Valley Health Partners, City of Hope, Good Samaritan Hospital, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Huntington Hospital, LA County Prison System, Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Providence Health & Services, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health System, Temple Community Hospital, Trinity Health, UC Irvine Healthcare, Universal Health Services, USC University Hospital, and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Individually, these employers received less than 4% of the Employer of Choice Nominations from LA’s nursing students.
Rising Experienced RN Retention Rates Likely to Impact Student Nurse Job Search
Some hospitals in the Southwest are reporting extraordinarily low turnover. Amid shrinking retirement accounts, falling home values and rising unemployment, many health care professionals are simply unwilling to leave their current employer.
This trend could surprise recent December graduates and continue into the spring and summer new graduate job search season. In November 2008, local nursing students reported surprisingly aggressive expectations for their planned job search
Local nursing students may need to reset expectations for the time required to find employment after graduation. Novice RNs in other LMP research markets generally report 3-6 month job search duration.
HWS Forming Greater Los Angeles Area Research Council. Members Wanted!
Council Members support survey efforts, enjoy 1-on-1 strategy sessions with LMP analysts, help fund operations, and receive unlimited access to our research. Most research reports provide more than 60 detailed charts, graphs, actionable insights and opportunity assessments presented in a time-saving format.
Organizations who opt not to join the Research Council may still participate in LMP research efforts. In lieu of financial support, Research Contributors champion LMP surveys and receive access to summary findings and data that resulted from their efforts.
Contact sales@healthws.com to join! Or visit www.labormarketpulse.com for more information.
Table of Contents for Full Report
2008 Greater Los Angeles Area Student Nurse Insights
- Workforce Survey Insights: LA Area Nursing Students Select Employers of Choice 2008
- Novice RNs Job Search: Finding the First Employer
- Student RNs Job Search: Comparing Offers – What Matters Most?
- Financing the Dream: Education Debt Profiles, Employer Assistance and Other Funding Strategies
HWS Workforce Indices & Indicators