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NDSU grads from many fields find fulfilling careers at Essentia Health

Published December 2017

Employers in the Fargo area, such as Essentia Health, like to hire NDSU graduates. Tiffany Reinarts, interim human resources senior manager, and Nicole Christensen, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, talk about why the organization employs so many NDSU graduates. 

What kind of work does Essentia Health do? 

Essentia Health is an integrated health system serving patients throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Idaho. 

Essentia Health-West, based out of Fargo, has locations throughout Fargo, Ada, Graceville, Detroit Lakes, Fosston, Bagley, Chokio, Oklee, Park Rapids, Casselton, Jamestown, West Fargo, Valley City, Lisbon, Wahpeton, Walker, Frazee, Lake Park, Mahnomen, Pelican Rapids, Menahga, Hankinson and Moorhead. 

How many people does Essentia Health employ?  

Overall, Essentia Health has more than 14,700 employees. Essentia Health-West has 4,126 total employees. 

The more than 14,700 employees include many NDSU alumni. Within the last five years alone, Essentia Health has hired 610 NDSU graduates. 

What are the top qualities or skills Essentia Health looks for in new hires?

Reinarts: Work history, work ethic, knowledge, the desire to be a part of a team, a desire for health care and helping others. Essentia Health has a great culture that has been built by living our core values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship and Teamwork. We truly look for individuals who will fit and thrive in this culture. 

From what fields of study does Essentia Health hire?

Reinarts: A lot of people only think about physicians and nurses when thinking about health care fields. But Essentia hires from many different fields of study – RNs, LPNs, radiology technicians, medical laboratory sciences, accounting, human resources, marketing, business and other fields. We also offer clinicals for NDSU students and have an intern program. 

How does Essentia Health’s early hire program work?

Christensen: Essentia has a nursing early hire program where we post early hire positions in July at our Fargo hospital, which is about the time that our summer interns are completing their time with us. These postings are open for students graduating from nursing programs in December and May. We hold four open interview fairs for those applicants – two in the fall and two in the spring. This allows applicants to interview with nursing leaders, staff and various departments within the hospital. 

It is a great way to link applicants with job openings in nursing in our facility. This also provides the opportunity for new graduates to secure their first job prior to graduation. 

Why is this program important to Essentia?

Christensen: This has been a very successful program for Essentia. It gives us, as the employer, an open line of communication with students and new graduates who are looking to find employment in the health care field in Fargo. It also allows us an ability to predict our workforce needs and hire ahead to meet the growing needs of our facility. 

Why do you hire NDSU graduates?

Christensen: NDSU produces great quality graduates who are well-prepared for the workforce. Several of them do their clinicals, internships and preceptorships at our facility, so they have had exposure to our units and staff. The students are assertive and inquisitive, so they are not afraid to ask questions and make the most of their clinicals to figure out where they want to work after graduation. Many of these students are invested in our community. 

In what ways are NDSU graduates ready for the workplace?

Christensen: They are well-rounded, with good clinical experiences. NDSU had a good pass rate for the Nursing National Council Licensure Examination, which speaks volumes to the quality of curriculum.


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Phone: +1 (701) 231-1068 - Fax: (701) 231-1989
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Last Updated: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 1:49:10 PM
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