By The nurses are going to Wall Street. The digital startup known as connectRN has been invited to ring the Nasdaq Closing Bell on Friday, May 12, the last day of National Nurses Week 2023. Ten nurses will be there to close out another week of trading on the floor. It’s just the financial industry’s way of saying thank you to the people who work in healthcare.
ConnectRN is an online platform that pairs nurses with flexible work opportunities and professional resources that they can access on their phone or mobile device. It’s designed to help providers find jobs that further their careers and reduce burnout with information on self-care, policy changes, and the latest workplace shortages.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to ring the Nasdaq Closing Bell in celebration of Nurses Week and the hard work that nurses contribute to the healthcare ecosystem every day,” said Ted Jeanloz, CEO of connectRN. “We’re hopeful that our presence here will keep nurse appreciation top of mind year-round, alongside continuing efforts that push for nurse well-being.”
The company has also become a champion of worker’s rights amid the ongoing nurse shortage. According to a recent connectRN survey, 50 percent of the nurses polled said that they have considered leaving the nursing profession entirely. Another 56% of nurses have noticed that their patients have suffered because they have too much on their plate.
It also collects valuable information about what it’s like to work as a nurse. Data shows that the average nurse walks around four miles during each 12-hour shift with a max of five miles when working overtime. That is the equivalent of walking a marathon every week.
“Nurses consistently prove to be unseen athletes in healthcare, withstanding incredible physical strain while showing up as pillars of strength for their patients,” said Jen Reddy, CMO of connectRN. “The endurance and mental fortitude they display daily should be recognized more frequently, so we’re honored to have a small representation of our community join us here to ring the Nasdaq closing bell and bring awareness to the ongoing challenges nurses face.”
Many providers are using the platform to find work all over the U.S. Users can quickly search for new opportunities at their current facility or by region.
“We’re thrilled to see the accessible work model and flexible scheduling options that have already made a strong impact in skilled nursing facilities and home health care settings now transfer to the hospital environment,” says Kara Bernard, Director of Hospitals at connectRN. “This is a win-win for hospitals and nurses alike – nurses can work when and where they want, and hospitals get increased access to nurses to appease some of their shortages.”
The app is designed to let nurses work how and when they want by exposing them to new opportunities. Some use it to pick up fewer shifts than they would working full-time in a hospital.
“With connectRN, I appreciate how I can pick up shifts once a week, once every two weeks, or however often fits my schedule,” says Baylee Camp, an RN in Tennessee. “The fact that I have the option to work whenever I want makes nursing a profession that fits well with my other interests and priorities and will hopefully widen opportunities for other hospital nurses looking to have more freedom over their schedules and daily routines.”
