Rural hospital uses international nurses to address shortage

Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk, Ohio, embarked on an 18-month process to hire international nurses at its rural facilities for a minimum three-year commitment. To retain the nurses, Fisher-Titus started a community mentor program, peer-mentor preceptor program, general onboarding, culture and diversity classes for existing staff and team-building events. The hospital worked closely with community mentors and the greater Norwalk community to obtain affordable rental housing for the international nurses and their families. To overcome differences in nursing culture, Fisher-Titus relied on preceptors and the clinical education team. The process is profiled in an AHA case study.