Hilo Medical Center relied on its nurses during the pandemic, several of whom came from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. As HMC expands its campus, clinics and hospital beds, nursing assistance is still being sought from both schools.
“We typically hire about 27 nurses every year from both schools,” said HMC Chief Nursing Officer Arthur Sampaga Jr. “But this year, we’re going to hire a little over 50. We’re doubling the count and we’re looking at probably 90-95% of them coming from those two schools.”
Sampaga is an alumnus of HCC and UH-Hilo and continues to serve as a guest lecturer at both schools, receiving Alumnus of the Year from HCC in 2020.
“We did our clinical training here at the hospital,” said Sampaga, who participated in the first HCC nursing cohort. “It benefits our employees and it benefits the new grads to have trained in the same hospital they get hired into.”
Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, director of the UH-Hilo School of Nursing, said training still takes place at HMC for students.
“The UHH SON works closely with HMC and roughly 75% of our Bachelors of Science Nursing clinical course rotations are completed on site,” said Ayers-Kawakami. “Many of our graduates are hired at HMC into their nurse residency program.”
Hiring local graduates helps to increase HMC’s retention rates.
“We invest in them with a year of residency and training for every new grad nurse that comes on board,” said Sampaga. “Currently, our retention rate is about 80% for local new grads that we hire here. That’s the best it has been so far.”
There’s been increased interest in students applying for the nursing program at HCC as well, with Nursing Director Luzviminda Miguel reporting over 100 applications were received for spring. While 98 individuals were qualified, the school can only accommodate 30 due to limited classroom space, lab space and clinical placements.
“We accept at least 30 students, 10 from the Kona side and 20 here, but we have an increased number of applicants,” said Miguel.
Discussions between HMC, HCC and healthcare providers are underway to help close the gap between demand and the current cohort supply.
“Our county alone has over 1,700 openings for nurses,” said HCC Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas. “With our capacity, we can only supply 7% of that. That’s why we want to convene with the healthcare providers and begin to address how we can collectively mitigate this crisis.”
An increased cohort for HCC is anticipated for Fall of 2023.
“The legislature has allocated a generous amount for us as we stretch and expand our cohort,” said Solemsaas. “It’s a program that’s highly competitive.”
Traveling nurses were utilized during the pandemic to combat staffing shortages.
“Everyone stepped up, worked hard and put in extra effort,” said Sampaga of the traveling nurses. “But unfortunately, they’re pretty costly and there’s a high turnover rate. Right now, we have a lot of vacancies, and a lot of positions still filled with temporary travelers. We want to fill those positions with permanent, longterm employees.”
Added benefits of hiring local include economic advantages and maintaining cultural competence, which UH-Hilo cites as a benefit of its partnership with the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
“This Waianae cohort serves one of the highest Native Hawaiian populations in the state,” said Ayers-Kawakami. “Upon graduation, this cohort has increased the nursing workforce in the area.”
Open positions at HMC range from Registered Nursing staff to Licensed Practical Nurses, technicians and nursing aids.
“Within the last five years, we’ve grown by a few hundred employees,” said Cabatu. “So we really need more personnel to join us.”
The retirement of nurses during the pandemic left a gap that HMC is still trying to close.
“There is a shortage of nursing countywide, statewide and nationwide,” said Sampaga. “A lot of the baby boomer and Generation X nurses are retiring.”
Cabatu shares weekly job postings for all HMC positions through social media and hosts career fairs and other employment events.
“For Hawaii Community College, 91% of our students come from the island and 78% of them stay on the island, particularly in healthcare,” said Solemsaas. “That community affiliation contributing to the economy brings in so much value.”
In addition to launching students into careers, both HMC and HCC noted there are opportunities for growth.
“Experienced nurses stepped up and became managers,” said Cabatu regarding the pandemic period. “We had to rely on each other and I think that’s what pushed us to become a stronger hospital today than we were prior to the pandemic.”
HCC and UH-Hilo students can apply to Hilo Medical Center through online applications available at https://tinyurl.com/r8pm4zk.
“We welcome everyone to apply,” said Sampaga. “I really believe in what we do and the care we provide and the students see it, because they train here. This is one of the best professions to work in and this is the best hospital to work in.”
Additional information on HCC’s nursing program can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/58ts464d.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com