Freeman Hosts Nurse Recruitment Expo

JOPLIN, Mo. – Whether providing direct patient care or supporting those who do, every Freeman Health System employee impacts the quality of the patient experience and level of excellence achieved as a team. Currently, Freeman has more than 180 employment opportunities posted online. Of those, approximately one-third are positions in nursing. Jobs for registered nurses will grow 19 percent between 2012 and 2022, making nursing one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country.¹

“Leading healthcare professionals are drawn to jobs at Freeman Health System because they share our core values – compassion, teamwork, professionalism, communication and ownership,” said Mary Frerer, Freeman Chief Human Resource Officer. “Careers with Freeman Health System give our caregivers a chance to make a real difference in the lives of patients.”

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the retirement rate for registered nurses is growing, along with the aging American population. Fifty-five percent of the current registered nurse workforce is 50 or older, with one million registered nurses expected to reach retirement age within the next 10 to 15 years.²

“The healthcare industry has been preparing for the impact of an aging baby boomer population for more than a decade,” said Coleen Cameron, Freeman Chief Nursing and Regulatory Officer. “The passage of the Affordable Care Act brought millions of Americans into the health insurance system, which further increased demand for nursing services.”

To meet that growing demand, Freeman Health System will host a Nurse Recruitment Expo 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Wednesday, November 18, at Freeman Hospital West. The event will offer prospective nurses the chance to meet Freeman senior leaders, complete an application and learn about various departments. Additionally, the event will feature networking opportunities, hors d’oeuvres from Crabby’s Seafood Bar and Grill, music and giveaways, including a Fitbit® tracker and an Oasis Salon and Day Spa Signature Escape spa package.                    

“As the area’s largest employer, we are able to offer amazing benefits from the first day of employment,” said Jamie Hirshey, Freeman Manager of Human Resources. “That includes paid time off, retirement savings and health, dental and vision insurance.”

Freeman nurses also benefit from the Shared Governance program, which provides a structural model to help bedside nurses work collaboratively with nursing leaders, giving them an equal voice in the decision-making process. Additionally, The Advancing Professional Program offers bedside nurses opportunities for professional development through continuing education, community service, participation in shared governance and involvement in quality improvement.

Freeman Nurse Recruitment Expo
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Wednesday, November 18
Freeman Hospital West Conference Rooms
417.347.8900
Special Reserved Parking Available

¹ Employment Statistics Program, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
² American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2015, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2015 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90