Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Albert Lea announced a plan on Monday to retain staff while opening up more than 100 positions for Department of Nursing personnel.

“Today we are taking an important step in providing more certainty for our valued staff in Albert Lea and Austin, and for our communities,” said Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea and Austin in a press release. “We truly appreciate the dedication and professionalism of our staff as we have worked through the complex preparations for relocating some of our work units.”

Over the next 24 months, inpatient surgery, inpatient hospitalization (medical/surgical/pediatric) and childbirth will be consolidated on the Austin campus. The inpatient Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU) will move to the Albert Lea campus. Observation beds will also be added to the Albert Lea Emergency Department.

Mayo Clinic Health System is posting more than 100 positions for nurses, nursing assistants and health unit coordinators across both campuses. These are positions that will be needed to staff the integrated work units.

“As we continue our work of transitioning certain hospital services between our Albert Lea and Austin campuses, our staff is experiencing the uncertainty that can come with change,” said Diane Twedell, Chief Nursing Officer for Mayo Clinic Health System Southeast Minnesota region. “They have asked us – and our communities have asked us – to provide as much clarity as we can about what the future looks like.”

Mayo Clinic Health System is asking staff members to apply for future positions now. Once an employee has been awarded a position, the position will be held for them.

“Holding positions for months or even years is not a standard practice in the healthcare industry, but we feel strongly that this is the best way to provide more certainty for our staff, and to demonstrate through our actions that we want them to remain as part of our valued staff,” Twedell said.

“We know our patients and communities value our staff and the great care they provide,” Ciota said.  “We want everyone to know that we are working hard to retain all the talented staff that have provided such good care for them, and to keep employment in our communities strong and stable.”