What is Right Choice IRP?

Great River Health's new innovative, system-wide internal staffing resource pool. The goal of the program is to significantly reduce reliance on external agencies and travelers to support staffing needs, be an additional layer of support to fill core scheduling gaps, daily functional vacancies, and long-term needs, and improve the nursing experience at Great River Health by offering many work options for resource pool PRN staff. This is in addition to current hospital and unit-based resource pools.

Why is Great River Health creating a system-wide internal resource pool?

Great River Health and our hospitals must staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week - all shifts, weekends, and holidays. Over the past couple of years, nurses, like employees in other industries, have expressed the desire for more scheduling options in their work life. External staffing agencies recognized the change and have capitalized on it. Great River Health wants to continue to be an employer of choice by offering enhanced staffing options via the Right Choice IRP.

Competition for nurses isn't just with other hospitals, it is also with nursing agencies that are increasing their recruitment of nurses every day. We must continue to attract and retain nurses. Doing so means we have to provide increased options for nurses who want different things at different points in their careers.

Right Choice IRP helps reduce external agency costs. More importantly, Right Choice IRP increases the quality of care and service provided by nursing staff. Housing an internal nurse pool ensures consistency in quality nurses who are familiar with the hospital practices and standards, and as a result, provides enhanced teamwork.

Are hospital and unit-based float pools going away?

No, if you're part of a hospital and/or unit-based pool, you can remain in this position. Right Choice IRP is another option for PRN staff who may want more options.

With more flexible options, isn't there the possibility of our regular nurses moving to Right Choice IRP?
There are several reasons people choose regular full-time and part-time work, including benefits and security. It is possible that some regular nurses will move to Right Choice IRP as flexibility may be more suitable for their current needs. By expanding Right Choice IRP available options there is a greater possibility of retaining them within Great River Health.

Are nurses able to hold more than one position under Right Choice IRP?
No. Nurses can only hold one job position if they join Right Choice IRP.

How and when does Right Choice IRP supply nurses?

Right Choice IRP nurses are deployed to fill daily functional vacancies, census or acuity increases, leaves of absence, FTE vacancies, overtime replacement, and agency utilization among other needs.

The Right Choice IRP uses a new technology, which is designed to ensure deployment of the right resource/staff to the right place at the right time.

Who is eligible?

Nurses who have two years' experience or more in their current practicing specialty. Also, must be willing to travel to all three hospital locations. Note: These positions are PRN status and aren't eligible for Great River Health benefits offered to full-time and part-time employees.

What are the benefits of joining Right Choice IRP?

An individual may enjoy the perks of traditional travel or PRN nursing in addition to receiving:

• excellent pay and long-term assignment rates
• various shift options and staffing commitment choices
• flexible and convenient self-scheduling online with the Right Choice IRP scheduling app
• streamlined orientation
• become or remain a Great River Health System employee and part of the team.

How does someone apply for a position?

Click Here to Apply. If you know of someone who may be interested, please share this link with them.

Can a newly hired nurse apply for a Right Choice IRP position?

Yes, after they have been in their current role for 6 months and have at least two years of nursing experience.

How is staff going to be allocated per site?

Right Choice IRP is powered by a technology platform called Einstein II, which includes an algorithm designed to deploy staff to the right location at the right time.

When and how do managers request Right Choice IRP staff?

More information will be coming soon with instructions for leaders from Vicki Kokjohn.

What staffing options are available in Right Choice IRP program?

There are three staffing options used in Right Choice IRP:

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