NURSING AT McLEAN
Connections Make a Difference in Nursing Recruitment
Michele Bartick, RN may be a new recruiter at McLean Hospital, but she is not new to psychiatric nursing. As an inpatient psychiatric nurse for more than 20 years, working most recently in partial hospital care, Bartick brings a wide breadth of experience to the task of recruiting qualified professionals for McLean's Department of Nursing.
Michele Bartick, RN |
"I know what it means to be a working mom and to work nights or rotating shifts...and I know why I did it for so many years," Bartick reflects. "Though psychiatric nursing is hard work, you get a lot back. The challenge of psychiatric nursing is putting together all that you know, using the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects, and devising a plan that works. What makes this work very intriguing is using all of this factual data and then taking it one step further where interpersonal skills and teamwork really come into play. You just have to want to care to help people change."
A long time advocate of nursing, Bartick takes special pride and pleasure in seeing that the right candidate finds his or her "perfect" job. "McLean's nursing positions vary widely, so we usually have the opportunity for choice and selection among some excellent candidates," she explains. "It is gratifying to work with the hospital's nurse managers and succeed in filling the position with someone who makes a fine contribution to the unit."
Looking for professionals who truly have the enthusiasm and desire to make a difference is a priority for Bartick as she talks to prospective candidates. Contrary to the belief of many professors and nursing instructors, it is not necessary to have a year of medical-surgical experience before embarking on a career in psychiatric nursing. According to Bartick, what is more important is a caring heart, a willingness to be open and flexible and an enthusiasm to learn. Of course, experience working with people in a clinical setting only enhances the resume.
"I love talking to candidates about their previous experiences and their expectations for the future in an attempt to determine if he or she will be the right fit for our unit needs," says Bartick. "I spend a lot of time talking about how working at McLean could work for them. I focus on the hospital's rich history, its reputation as a leader in education and its cutting-edge research program. It is these three elements that often entice candidates to apply for positions at McLean."
Reaching out to the community to keep qualified candidates interested is of utmost priority. Hosting in-house community job fairs is one very successful method for recruiting and replacing nursing staff. Because of the great response, the job fairs are held quarterly. In addition, the recruiting team attends career fairs and health-related job fairs throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Bartick believes "every inquiry is important, and if I can respond in an open, informative and friendly manner, then I reflect what nursing at McLean is all about."
Whether it is helping a student decide on psychiatric nursing as a career, offering resources to nurses returning to the field, or greeting the newly hired employees on orientation day, Bartick is reaching out and making connections. Every person is a potential employee-making the connection just opens the door. Whether the welcoming gesture results in recruitment today or sometime in the future, she believes it sets a standard for the Nursing Department and leads the way for many candidates.
"It is not only the connections I make, but how everyone at McLean speaks to the community that matters. What nurses say about their job and where they work speaks loudly and effectively. We are all responsible for upholding and promoting nursing as a profession, for nurturing the young graduates and supporting the more experienced nurses. Our efforts will pay off in the wholesome continuity of a profession that serves all."