Children's Healthcare of Atlanta looking for more nurses

ATLANTA — A local hospital is stepping up efforts to find the best nurses to take care of their smallest patients.

Nurse Jackie Cirili is looking for any changes in patient Kelly Tay's vitals.

At the AFLAC Cancer Center, 16-year-old Tay told Channel 2 Action News her nurses feel like a

team all working together with a smile.

“You have a team watching out for you and making everything possible for you to step onto the level and feel better,” Tay said.

With a national nursing shortage, recruiters are putting the word out: The right nurse for the job might not even know pediatrics yet.

“It takes a special place in your heart,” Megan Grove with human resources said.

Grove says Children's Healthcare of Atlanta will hire hundreds of new graduates this year.

“Put their hands on and apply what they're learning,” Grove said.

She showed Channel 2 Action News where they train nurses from other fields to work with the littlest patients. %

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“Nurses typically comes with an extraordinary amount of experience. Translating that into the pediatric environment,” Grove said.

It's so competitive now that Children's sometimes offers moving allowances, and employees have an on-site concierge to run personal errands like picking up dry cleaning.

For Cirili, her work is a dream.

Her mom kept this sweet homework sheet listing her future position: nurse.

“You’re not just taking care of the patient, you are taking care of the whole family,” Cirili said.

For who to contact about nursing jobs at Children's, you can use either, or both: nursingcareers@choa.org or leah.clopton@choa.org

Cox Media Group