Evaluation of a proactive hiring model to achieve workforce stability in the intensive care unit

Aim The purpose was to evaluate an innovative Prospective Hiring Equation to determine registered nurse hiring needs. Background The American Organization for Nursing Leadership identifies human resource management as a competency for nurse managers, yet calculations to determine when and how many registered nurses to hire are not readily available. Methods We implemented an educational intervention to teach nurse mangers the Prospective Hiring Equation. We evaluated the processes (adoption and confidence) and outcomes (vacancy rates) using a pre‐evaluation/postevaluation design in a single cohort of nurse managers (n = 9). We used a statistical process control chart to depict mean differences in vacancy rate at baseline and 6‐month postimplementation. Results Participants (n = 9) were on average 43 years' old, female, and had 2.94 (SD = 2.66) years' of nurse manager experience. Following implementation of the intervention, the combined vacancy rates of the intensive care units improved by 11.8% (SD = 7), and use of agency nurses decreased by 42.5% (premedian = 7.2, interquartile ratio = 3.6, 10.8; postmedian = 1.8, interquartile ratio 0.9, 8.55). Conclusions The Prospective Hiring Equation may be a useful tool to improve nurse managers human resource management competencies. Implications for Nursing Management The Prospective Hiring Equation may help nurse managers improve accuracy when evaluating hiring needs.