MST gets the most out of current employees and trains new ones

MST is struggling with staff shortages, even though it cannot be compared to the shortages in the Randstad. “But we, too, are reaching our limits. We cannot use all the beds sometimes because we do not have enough nurses.” Says HR-manager Tineke Tromp. The current employees are offered enough challenges at MST. In every career path, new possibilities are examined. “Nurses in the casualty department, intensive care and ambulance service can rotate. There is much enthusiasm for that”, says Sophia. If a nurse wants to be trained for a specialist position, such as CVA or dialysis nurse, that will be supported. “We want to inspire people to get the most out of themselves.” The programme “Sterk in je Werk” (Excel at your Work) highlights the threat of burnout and the balance between work and private life, to prevent absence. Practical support is also offered. An example is the powernap-booth for the night shift.

In addition to taking care of their current staff, MST is also investing in new forces: a hundred doctors, sixty students of technical medicine and two hundred nurses are in training at the hospital in Enschede. Also, a hundred PhD students are employed for their PhD research. Students who are trained at the ROC van Twente or Saxion often like to stay in the region. To get new growth from outside, you need to emphasise the other assets of the region as well, according to Tineke. “The attractive living environment and the relatively low house prices are both very important after your studies if you want to settle down with a young family somewhere.

Edimir Semedo is one of the doctors in training at MST, in the cardiology department. He is from Rotterdam and consciously chose a place far from the Randstad. “People are very open here, and they still greet each other. The workload is high, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. My work gives me a lot of energy. This profession enables you to genuinely make a difference to people.”

Semedo is part of a great team at MST, and that is important to him. “The success of a team depends on all players. A cleaner is just as important here in the hospital as a surgeon.” He knows that the administrative burden has increased compared to a few years ago. “Many protocols and check marks. It is all part of the game, and it is important, but I prefer spending my time on actual care.” According to the chairman of the board, it is inevitable that a part of that care will no longer be given in person anymore, but digitally. “Patients will have to get used to that, but the same goes for our employees. It took a while to get used to texting, and it will be the same for this new form of healthcare. Digital care can make life easier, but it will, of course, never replace real care.”