With healthcare staffing shortages at critical levels, OhioHealth knew it needed a new approach. Instead of relying on expensive contract labor, the system turned to a global solution — directly hiring experienced international nurses in partnership with Qualivis’ international recruitment partner, Aya Global Talent. The result? A strategic, people-first program that’s reducing labor costs, improving retention and building a stronger, more diverse workforce.
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Learning from the past
International hiring wasn’t new to OhioHealth. A 2021 pilot program brought in a cohort of international nurses under a temp-to-perm model. But major challenges emerged:
- Nurses weren’t OhioHealth employees, leading to wage and benefit disparities.
- Dissatisfaction and limited job stability led to a 50% attrition rate.
The lesson was clear: for international recruitment to succeed, nurses needed to be fully integrated and treated like a true employee, starting from day one.
Reimagining the model
After evaluating multiple vendors, OhioHealth launched a new approach with Aya Global Talent — this time using H-1B visas to directly hire nurses as full associates. This gave the organization greater oversight and allowed clinicians to access the same benefits, pay and resources as any OhioHealth employee. It also set the stage for a long-term retention strategy grounded in equity and support.
Face-to-face makes a difference
OhioHealth made the deliberate choice to conduct interviews in person, sending teams to London and Dubai. While virtual interviews offer convenience, they often fall short in building connection and trust.
“We wanted the candidates themselves to understand how we were committed to them,” said Christine Coriell, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Director of System Nursing Operations at OhioHealth, “So much that we’re willing to pull one of our CNOs out of a full week of work just for this interview event.”
In-person interviews allowed the team to meet highly experienced clinicians — many with 12 to 30-plus years in specialties like critical care and cardiology. The quality of talent prompted a quick pivot: OhioHealth expanded its hiring plans on the spot.
From first impressions to first day
Once hired, nurses received a warm, coordinated welcome. OhioHealth team members met them at the airport, helped them settle into housing and guided them through a full “welcome week” covering essentials like banking, medical assessments and grocery shopping.
Behind the scenes, cross-functional teams prepared for the nurses’ arrival — aligning legal, HR and clinical operations to ensure smooth onboarding. The organization also partnered with its immigrant and Asian business resource groups to provide peer support and culturally aligned resources.
“I want to ensure that on day one of orientation, they feel really confident and comfortable coming to work. There are no barriers,” said Tiffany Bradley, CCWP, Regional VP of Program Management and International Solutions at Qualivis.
Trust drives retention
Unlike traditional international staffing models, nurses at OhioHealth knew exactly where they’d be working from the start. This clarity, combined with OhioHealth’s in-person investment, built trust and loyalty. There were no sign-on bonuses or short-term incentives. Instead, nurses were offered full integration. This means equity in pay and benefits as well as the same opportunities to grow as their peers.
Results so far
As of now:
- 177 nurses have received visa approvals.
- 64 nurses have already arrived in the U.S.
- OhioHealth has set a target of 400 international hires.
Perhaps most impressively, the system has reduced its nursing contract labor from 500 FTEs to under 100. The international hiring initiative is a major contributor to that achievement.
Looking ahead
More recruitment trips are planned, with both OhioHealth and Aya Global Talent continuing to refine the model. Legal and compliance processes are now well established, and new arrivals are already making meaningful contributions across care sites. Supportive immigration policies and potential legislation like the Healthcare Worker Resilience Act may further accelerate access to global talent.
Ready to dive deeper?
Catch up on the next chapter in OhioHealth’s international recruitment journey. Watch the recording of Christine Coriell and Tiffany Bradley’s dynamic webinar in which they shared practical strategies, key lessons learned, and the long-term vision behind their global hiring success.
Access the recording now and discover how strategic international recruitment can help you build a future-ready workforce.