Aspirus Hospital in Wausau is stepping up it's recruitment efforts to bring more nurses to our area.

In a 2007 report... the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates we need more than one million new nurses by 2016.

Julie Reimer, the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for Aspirus Hospital says hospitals in other states with a greater need may offer signing bonuses but Aspirus is looking for experienced nurses rather than recent graduates.

Aspirus doesn't offer signing bonuses... but it has a 10 week summer internship program, where nursing students are paired with a mentor.

"They are exposed to the hospital working with a preceptor [or mentor] and get the hands on experience so when they graduate they go back their final year more confident," says Reimer.

She says they are also turning to the Internet to increase the applicant pool.

Reimer says they've increased their Internet advertising about 30 percent during the last year.

She says they are offer a Nurse Residency Program for new nurses that get hired and a 10 week Summer Internship Program for nursing students.

Reimer says the best way to get their message and information about their programs to qualified candidates, was through the Internet.

"We are focusing on the Internet and getting our ad and info out there more Internet based than before and we are not offering any bonuses at this time."

Reimer says Aspirus' recruitment and retention programs are paying off for them as well as nurses.

60 to 70% of the interns who complete their Internship program are hired after they graduate from school.

Reimer also says about 91 percent of their new nurses stay at least 18 months compared to the national averages where 30 to 60 percent of new grads leave their first job in 1 to 3 years.