Business & Tech

Cleveland Clinic's Nursing Fair to Fill 600 Job Openings

The three-day event at Cleveland Browns Stadium attracts more than 1,300 applicants in 48 hours.

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 600 combined openings at the system’s properties. Held at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the event offered 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, , Lakewood Hospital and more fielded questions and provided information to applicants. Workers from Cleveland Clinic’s Florida and Abu Dhabi facilities also attended for those interested in relocation.

Angie Stegenga of Stow hoped she would get a chance to do her new 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.

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“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.”

Sandra 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.

In developing the fair’s concept, the executive said shortening the process for the benefit of both Cleveland Clinic and the applicants was critical. Job seekers don’t have to continually 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 childcare 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?”


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