2008 Novice RN Report

Many leading employers and educators asked Labor Market Pulse (LMP) to shed some insight on nursing’s next generation. Whether they are called novices, recent graduates or millennials, one thing is for sure…nurses that graduated between 2005 and 2008 have a unique view on the nursing profession, have distinct employment preferences, and may aspire to define their personal and professional future in exciting new ways.

With help from our research contributors and research council members, Labor Market Pulse listened to over 80 novice nurses in the San Francisco Bay Area via:

  • Participation in the inaugural San Francisco Bay Area RN Workforce Survey conducted in the spring of 2008
  • Focus groups conducted at Health Workforce Solutions’ San Francisco headquarters in the fall of 2008

The results provide never-before-seen insights into the behaviors and decisions of novice nurses in the local market.

San Francisco Bay Area Novice RNs Select Employers of Choice 2008

  • 95% of Bay Area novice nurses list acute care hospitals as the most desirable work setting. Physician offices, psychiatric facilities and surgery centers also receive honorable mention.
  • Among acute care hospitals and health systems, Bay Area novice nurses selected Kaiser Permanente as their 2008 Employer of Choice. The Veterans Administration, Santa Clara Valley Hospital and Health System, and Sutter Health were ranked in the top 3. Collectively, these 4 employers received 57% of the novice nurse votes

  • Other employers included as employers of choice include Adventist Health, Catholic Healthcare West, Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Daughters of Charity Health System, El Camino Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, North Bay Health Care, Palm Drive Hospital, Sonoma Valley Hospital, St. Joseph Health System, Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Tenet Health and UCSF Medical Center.
  • See “What Makes an Employer of Choice: Novice Nurses Speak Out” included in the full version of the report for detailed analysis of top performing employers.

Methodology and Data Presentation

Invitations to participate in Labor Market Pulse’s 2008 San Francisco Bay Area RN Workforce Survey were distributed directly by research contributors and council members via e-mail. The survey was conducted and data collected using an industry standard online application. Please see the “Acknowledgments” section of this report for a complete list of the Bay Area’s LMP research contributors and research council members.

Employers were asked to distribute the survey to recent applicants and new hires. To the best of our knowledge, this did not occur. In future reports, LMP anticipates broader employer participation.

Despite Multiple Job Offers, Most Bay Area Novice RNs Unable or Disinterested In Negotiating Compensation Package

  • A surplus of Bay Area novice nurses may make it difficult for novice nurses to negotiate with prospective employers. Or local novice nurses may have focused the negotiations on work-life balance supports like paid time off, preferred units and preferred work shifts
  • In fact, only one survey participant included wages as a key consideration in this exercise. For more, see the “Most Desirable Employment Considerations” graphic included below

Equitable Scheduling Policy, Awards and Commute Top of Mind for Novice Nurses Comparing Job Offers

During focus groups, Bay Area novice nurses evaluated four “hypothetical” employers. The complete ranking of 10 employment considerations is available in the full version of this report.

Contrary to Popular Belief, Bay Area Novice Nurses Have Long Relationship with First Employer

  • Bay area novice nurses expect a long relationship with their first employer. Only 5 of the 82 novice nurses participating in LMP’s research had left their first employer
  • Furthermore, 86% of Bay Area novice nurses report no change in their expectations
  • Reported challenges with novice nurse retention may not be about actual retention rates. These challenges are likely driven by life, career and employment expectations that are unique to nurses next generation and possibly surprising to  administrators

HWS Is Expanding the San Francisco Bay 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. The full version of this report includes

  • Compensation and benefits preferences for local novice RNs
  • Most desirable characteristics in an employer for local novice RNs
  • Key drivers of retention & turn-over for local novice RNs
  • Career arcs, advanced education plans and personal goals for local novice RNs
  • HWS RN Vacancy Index, Novice Nurse Temporary Leave Index and other indicators
  • Hot topic news, analysis and more!

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.

Available in the 2008 Bay Area Novice Nurse Report

In response to demands for local health care workforce data that provides actionable information, Health Workforce Solutions LLC (HWS) has released the second installment of the 2008 Bay Area Labor Market Pulse. This new 40+ page report follows the highly acclaimed inaugural report on experienced RNs released last summer.

   

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