STAT! A four-step approach to nursing recruitment and retention in a tertiary pediatric setting.

Recruiting nurses in today's health care environment is more challenging than ever before. A four-step, long-term strategic approach to nursing recruitment and retention was developed and implemented at The Children's Hospital (TCH) in Denver. STAT! Student and Employee Recruitment, Teaching the Specialty, Active Mentorship, and Time to Listen, denotes the urgency and significance of the current nursing shortage crisis and the need for immediate intervention to a critical health care problem. A combined effort within and across departments has led to the program's success, and new strategies continue to be designed and implemented to attract and retain the best and the brightest.