Cleveland Clinic's Nursing Fair to Hire 600, Some May Be from Stow

After months of brainstorming and planning, Sarah Sinclair finally got to see several renditions of the dance this week. 

“At the end of the process they did a little happy dance, saying, ‘I got a job,’” Sinclair, Cleveland Clinic Health System’s executive chief nursing officer, said of applicants at the three-day Nursing Now job fair. “We’ve seen that quite a few times.”

In its first two days, more than 1,300 current and aspiring nurses met Cleveland Clinic personnel in hopes of landing one of roughly 600 job openings at the Clinic's properties.

Held at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the event offers an all-in-one model, encompassing the entire interview and testing process for prospective employees. Applicants leave the stadium knowing if they will work for the 91-year-old institution.

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Executives and nurses from the main campus, , and more fielded questions and provided information to applicants. Workers from Cleveland Clinic’s Florida and Abu Dhabi facilities were on hand to talk with candidates interested in relocation.

The event continues Friday.

Angie Stegenga of Stow hoped she would get a chance to do her employment dance by the time she left Thursday. Despite the presence of hospital officials and thousands of competitors, Stegenga said her nerves were under control.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “I don’t usually feel intimidated until I’m sitting in a seat answering the questions of three or four people.”

'Great chance to get interviews right away'

Sondra Rush of Lakewood admitted some apprehension, but thought more about the opportunity in front of her.

“It makes me think that they really value nurses, and that there really are opportunities out there,” Rush said. “I went through a period last year when I was applying, and I never got a call or anything. This is a great chance to get interviews right away, which is encouraging.”

Sinclair said the job vacancies were a normal amount, considering the Clinic employs about 11,000 nurses across the globe. They arose from turnover, attrition and the addition of about 200 new positions.

Shortened application process

In developing the fair’s concept, shortening the process for the benefit of both Cleveland Clinic and the applicants was critical. Job seekers don’t have to take time off their current jobs, and hospitals can quickly fill their openings.

“I actually think this could really be a national approach, as I think about how much easier we’ve made it for the nurse,” Sinclair said. “I love nurses, and I know how hard it is for them to take time off and get child care because it’s still a 90-percent female profession. Sometimes you have to do that two or three times in the process of getting interviews for the various stages.

“If we can shorten this thing and support them, why not?”