Unlocking the Future of North Bay Health Care: Leaders Address Recruitment, Incentives, and Growth Strategies for 2025

Our Graduate Nurse Residency Program lasts between 6 to 12 weeks and mixes online learning with practical experience. New nurses get to learn from experienced mentors while working on the floor. Each group consists of 10 new nurses, starting as Level 1 nurses. They take part in coursework and shadow senior nurses to gain hands-on experience. Training time varies by specialty, averaging around 8-13 weeks. We ensure each nurse receives specific training tailored to the unit they will work in. Since 2021, more than 75 nurses have successfully completed this program and are now full-time employees.

We also have a Continuing Education Program that provides financial help for advanced training in specialties like pediatric emergency medicine, trauma care, and cardiac medicine.

Our Wellness@Work program supports our nurses and staff by promoting overall well-being. The Wellness Room offers relaxing activities like massages and meditation. We organize various activities such as yoga classes, nature walks, and provide free access to the Calm app. Additionally, staff can join self-care webinars and enjoy discounts on wellness services like massage, acupuncture, and nutritional coaching.

Patricia Padilla shares that Santa Rosa Community Health hosts the first accredited Family Nurse Practitioner Residency in the U.S. Here, NP residents gain hands-on experience while working with skilled teams at our campuses. This year-long program covers areas like family practice, pediatrics, and medication-assisted treatment, among others. We’re also proud to offer a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency, which trains 10-12 practitioners each year. Many of these graduates choose to work in our health centers.

In partnership with Partnership HealthPlan of California’s Provider Recruitment Program, we provide signing bonuses and incentives to attract various healthcare providers. We also offer bonuses for RN referrals and relocation assistance for specific positions. Our competitive salaries and benefits further enhance our recruitment efforts.

Pedro Toledo emphasizes that signing bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and support for language skills help us attract and keep talented clinicians. What truly sets us apart is the supportive culture among our current staff. They share their experience and knowledge with newcomers, creating an environment where all clinicians thrive by learning from each other.

Has your organization introduced any new services recently, such as an urgent care clinic? Armika Berkley responds that we launched an Ambulatory Treatment Center at Kaiser Permanente San Rafael. This outpatient site offers treatment for various health conditions, reducing hospital stays while providing services like diagnostic testing and IV antibiotics.

Working with OD Free Marin, we’ve also installed Narcan vending machines at our San Rafael Park Medical Center to combat the opioid crisis in our area.

Scott Ciesielski notes that in Sonoma County, we are expanding our services to include more complex care, which used to require trips to larger medical centers. For example, we’re now performing advanced cardiac procedures locally, including MitraClips and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements, and have grown our neurosurgical and trauma teams. This expansion ensures patients receive advanced care in their own community.