How One Hospital Hired Nurses 3 Times Faster
Case Study: How a Top U.S. Health Network Slashed Nurse Hiring Time from 80 to 28 Days
A major healthcare network spanning 21 states and employing over 60,000 caregivers and staff faced a familiar but urgent challenge: hiring specialized, experienced nurses faster. As the fifth-largest health system in the U.S. and the leading hospital provider in California, the network's operations—particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles—demand a constant pipeline of skilled nursing professionals.
The Challenge: Slow Recruitment Amid a Growing Shortage
The network urgently needed to fill over 150 nursing and leadership vacancies across six Los Angeles hospitals. Roles in critical departments—including the Operating Room (OR), Emergency Department (ED), Labor & Delivery (L&D), Cath Lab, ICU, NICU, and clinical leadership—were sitting open for weeks, even months. On average, it took more than 70 days to fill a position.
Recruiters were overwhelmed. Despite their expertise, traditional sourcing methods couldn’t keep up with the tight labor market. Chief surgeons and hiring managers raised alarms, knowing that delays in staffing jeopardized both patient care and staff morale.
To meet immediate needs—and build a stronger long-term talent pipeline—the network turned to HireWell Health (placeholder for Company X).
The Solution: Accelerated Sourcing with Smarter Technology
HireWell Health partnered with the network to streamline and accelerate nurse recruitment. Using a proprietary platform, the company screens thousands of candidates based on credentials, experience, specialty, and licensure—ensuring alignment with both clinical needs and hospital culture.
Instead of overwhelming internal recruiters with underqualified leads, HireWell Health delivered biweekly batches of 60–100 curated RN candidates, tailored to each hospital’s specifications.
Notably:
- The platform required just one hour of in-person training to implement
- Hiring teams began receiving interview-ready candidates within 3 days
- Previously stagnant roles began filling in record time
The Results: Faster Hiring, Better Outcomes
In the first 60 days of the partnership, the health network saw measurable improvements:
| Role Type | Time to Fill (Before) | Time to Fill (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Leadership Roles | 90+ days | 14 days |
| OR, ICU, ED, NICU Nurse Roles | 80+ days | 28 days |
| Interview Scheduling | 7–10 days | Within 3 days |
By reducing time-to-hire by over 60%, the network minimized gaps in care, alleviated pressure on current staff, and saved significant recruiting costs. Clinical leaders praised the quality of the candidates and the simplicity of the platform.
Looking Ahead
In an era of rising patient demand and persistent nurse shortages, speed and precision in hiring are more important than ever. This case demonstrates how forward-thinking networks can modernize their recruitment strategy without overhauling their entire system.
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