Rhonda Sims

Rhonda Sims, director of clinical education/nurse recruiter for BMH, however, said the hospital is already getting the bulk of its recruits from other programs.

"UT will affect all our organizations, but the bulk of our new graduates we get from associate degree programs," Sims said. "You've got Lincoln Memorial University, Roane State Community College and Walters State Community College, which are three huge programs."

There has been no indication that any of those programs will be downsized.

"I have not heard anything," Sims said.
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Sims said she doesn't know how many more nurses the hospital will hire.

"Our vacancies are down and our retention rate is up," Sims said. "We'll be looking at those numbers."

Recruiting nurses can be challenging. There is a lot of demand.

"Everybody is looking for nurses," Sims said. "You have got to make sure there is something at your facility that stands out. ... New grads are always looking at benefits and salaries. Our biggest selling point is our work environment, the things we've done to support nursing at the bedside."

Sims enjoys her job.

"You get to get out and meet people and hopefully interest them in what your facility can offer," she said.

Originally published: December 26. 2008 3:01AM Last modified: December 25. 2008 11:17PM

The membership includes Rhonda Sims, Blount Memorial Hospital, Angie Merriman, Covenant Health, Janet Hill, University Health System, Patricia Chaloux, Baptist Health System, Lisa Osterman, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, Kelli Jones, St. Mary's Health System, Dana Whittle, University Health System, and Jill England with Coordinated Healthcare Services.

"This is our first time to try something like this," said Rhonda Sims, director of education at Blount Memorial and organizer of the program.
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According to Sims these focus areas were strategically chosen."These departments and fields have the most need for workers," Sims said.

The week is set up on a point system that focuses on teamwork.Students earn points by participating in department visits, field Olympics where students will learn about wheelchairs and crutches, 'Healthcare Jeopardy,' and other activities.

"Each activity takes on a hands-on, team approach.At the end of the day each individual will have accumulated points by participating in each activity," Sims said.

"The internship serves as a good recruitment tool for the future of health-care workers," said BMH director of clinical education Rhonda Sims.

Heritage has been sending clinical interns to the hospital since 1977.To participate, students must first enroll in a health science course.Through this course, students have the opportunity to sign-up for the clinical internship program at BMH.To be eligible for the program, students must have good attendance, an interest in pursuing a health-related career and be in good academic standing.

During the first half of the internship, students spend four days at the hospital, and one day in class.Near the end of the semester, students spend three days at the hospital and two days in class.