The COVID-19 pandemic has further outlined the importance of nurses in our community.

Quinte Health Care is currently on the hunt for an expansion to its nursing teams across their four-hospital network, conducting an Open Interview Event for experienced, new, or future nursing graduates.

QHC Recruitment Coordinator Jenn Broek explained staff want to be proactive with hiring and finding good fits with interested new nurses, which necessitated this event.

“It’s to serve needs that we know about today and ones that we can’t predict, and also to hire nurses to cover for (other nurses’) vacation,” she said.

“At this point, with the onboarding process, it could even be for the surge in flu planning come the fall as well as being prepared should a potential second wave of the virus occur.”

“We’d love to have an initial phone conversation to identify where their interests are, because we may not have a need (in a certain area) today, but that could always change tomorrow or in a few months down the road.”

Broek said with COVID-19 requirements only allowing up to five people in one space, it’s led to QHC recruitment staff having to get creative with their process.

“We have done a lot of interviews as of late using tools like ZOOM or Skype for those who are at a significant distance or who are quarantining or isolating at home to allow them to be considered for current and future vacancies.”

Noting that they’ve hired nurses from other provinces such as Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Alberta, Broek said the QHC recruitment department is also happy to work with nurses or nursing grads who are interested in relocating.

She further outlined the importance of adding to the current complement of nurses to have more people on hand assist in being someone for community patients to lean on in the fight against the coronavirus, now more than ever.

“In times like these, where restrictions are in place in terms of visitors, they are the patient’s family,” said Broek.

“They are even more important in these circumstances and we absolutely treasure and value them.”

Broek said anyone who's interested in booking an interview can email her at jbroek@qhc.on.ca, give her a call 613-969-7400 extension 2766 or access the QHC Recruitment Portal online.

She added you can also find event advertisements on QHC's website under the careers section and on QHC's social media pages.

The event runs through the rest of May and into June.