Meet your recruiter: Jess Geen, new graduate RNs, RPNs and LPNs

Jess Geen is originally from the small town of Trenton in the southwest corner of Ontario. After following a remarkable life journey spanning five provinces, B.C. captured her heart and she settled in the warm embrace of the Interior. Family ties played a significant role in solidifying her decision, fostering a deep sense of belonging in the picturesque lakefront city of Kelowna, located in the heart of the Okanagan.

In Kelowna, Jess has discovered a vibrant community that serves as a hub for activities throughout the seasons. She and her family have embraced every aspect of Okanagan living. During the summers, she and her family enjoy camping trips and exploring the breathtaking interior of the province. As winter arrives, the joy of downhill skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating on the outdoor rink downtown take centre stage.

Her love for hiking, camping, skiing, and exploring new restaurants and breweries reflects a vibrant and adventurous spirit that thrives in the diverse and welcoming community of Kelowna. The unique blend of bigger city amenities with a tight-knit rural feel caters to both her enthusiastic soul and the desire for a close community connection.

Jess also values the Okanagan's convenient accessibility to a variety of destinations in all directions. Whether it's a swift drive over the mountains to Alberta, a trip to Vancouver or the Island, or a southbound journey across the border, this central location enhances the region's charm. Her personal and professional journey embodies the unique blend of adventure and community connection that defines the Okanagan region.

When not exploring beyond the city limits, she devotes her time to her four-year-old toddler, chauffeuring him to diverse activities like soccer, hockey, swimming lessons and t-ball.

Jess's journey as a health-care recruiter in Kelowna

Jess has served as the new graduate RN, RPN and LPN recruiter with Interior Health for two years. Her career in recruitment naturally evolved from her other roles including marketing coordinator, marketing manager, career coach and employment mentor. The synthesis of these skills was a perfect fit for the dynamic world of recruitment.

In her role, Jess establishes relationships with schools across B.C. and other provinces, actively promoting Interior Health to graduating nursing cohorts. Her multifaceted portfolio involves sourcing, marketing, HR processes, and HR analytics to provide insights into trends among graduates.

Jess's responsibilities encompass presenting at post-secondary schools, attending events, tracking new grad applications, maintaining sourcing campaigns, offering guidance to students, and preparing reports for senior leadership. Her primary objective is to surpass the previous year's hiring of new grads, emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion within the recruitment program. Her role as a recruiter goes beyond the routine tasks: she’s committed to finding dedicated individuals who will play a crucial role in providing care for our loved ones.

Impactful moments and rewards

Jess finds deep fulfillment in her role, especially during moments when she can help someone achieve their dream job at Interior Health. Knowing that she plays a role in hiring individuals who may care for loved ones in hospitals or long-term care facilities, is a significant responsibility, which is why recruiting in health care holds such a special place in her heart. The reward comes when the right person is found to fulfill a crucial role. For Jess, the joy of making that congratulatory phone call is unparalleled, making every day at work exciting and rewarding.

A particularly memorable experience for Jess was during the recruitment for the Health Career Access Program, a paid training program to become a health care assistant. She encountered a single stay-at-home mom who was eager to re-enter the workforce but felt overwhelmed as she navigated the application process—everything was entirely new for her. Following ongoing communication and support, Jess was ultimately able to extend a job offer to her. The emotional, heartfelt phone call she received from the candidate expressing her utmost gratitude remains etched in her memory to this day.

She holds the emotional rewards she encounters as a health-care recruiter close to her heart, cherishing them as a constant reminder of the profound significance inherent in her role.

Jess draws inspiration from the quote, "It’s never too late to be the person you might have been" by George Eliot. It reminds her of the limitless possibilities for personal growth and transformation.

Insights into the Interior Health recruitment process

Jess offers these insights into the recruitment process at Interior Health, including the journey from the initial online application to the ultimate hiring decision.

This centralized external recruitment process encompasses pre-screens, interviews and reference checks, ultimately leading to potential job offers. When evaluating candidates, Jess looks for clinical qualifications relevant to the job description. In her portfolio, prospective applicants must be current fourth-year students of a Canadian nursing program, or recent graduates with less than 18 months of nursing experience. Compassion for the field, reliability and eagerness to learn are crucial attributes sought in new grads.

She emphasizes to candidates applying for jobs in the health-care field, that a special calling is required to care for the community's elderly, frail and sick. In challenging times, she encourages individuals to remember the motivations that initially led them into this field. For aspiring nurses seeking an experienced base pathway, Jess recommends exploring programs like HCAP, the Access to Practical Nursing Education Incentive Bursary and various bridging programs.

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