San Francisco DPH unveils strategy to increase nursing staff and retain employees

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) held a meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on critical staffing issues and management concerns within the city's healthcare system. A significant point of discussion was the ongoing challenges at Laguna Honda, a skilled nursing facility, where concerns were raised about the qualifications of its management team. Jennifer Cartwright, an assistant nursing administrator, was specifically mentioned as lacking certification as a nursing home administrator, raising alarms about the facility's future and the potential for drastic measures such as closure or receivership.

The meeting also highlighted DPH's efforts to improve nurse recruitment and retention. Erica Thorson, the recruitment strategist, outlined initiatives aimed at increasing the nursing workforce, which has faced significant challenges since the pandemic. DPH reported a goal of raising the number of registered nurses (RNs) from approximately 1,250 to over 1,400 by the end of the fiscal year, reflecting a net increase of over 250 nurses. Strategies to achieve this include streamlining hiring processes, hosting targeted recruitment events, and enhancing partnerships with unions.

Additionally, the DPH has implemented a new hiring strategy that simplifies the application process for nurses, reducing the number of job descriptions and qualifications required. This approach aims to create a more efficient hiring pipeline, with nearly 100 nursing candidates currently in various stages of the hiring process.

The meeting concluded with a call for greater transparency regarding the management of Laguna Honda and the overall staffing situation within DPH. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the progress made in recruitment and retention but emphasized the need for continued efforts across all areas of the workforce to address staffing shortages effectively. The DPH's commitment to listening to employee feedback and improving workplace conditions was also underscored as essential for sustaining staff engagement and retention.