How Organizations are Retaining Top Healthcare Talent in 2024
Has keeping your best talent been an ongoing battle? With staffing being a major pain point for healthcare facilities across the U.S., shortage issues continue to impact every layer of the industry – from financial performance to patient care outcomes. According to a recent nationwide study noted by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), 60 percent of all healthcare support workers are expected to leave their jobs in the next five years. With staggering findings like this, it’s imperative that employers take action to make talent retention a top priority.
Between the evolution of AI and the shift towards specialized staffing, healthcare employers must be more innovative than ever to retain their most skilled professionals. Here are some of the most impactful strategies for reversing poor retention and creating a greater sense of connection among staff:
Reduce Burnout Risks
Mitigating burnout is one of the most crucial steps healthcare employers can take to retain talent, especially as healthcare staffing demands continue to increase. In addition to promoting work-life balance, managers at healthcare facilities must be educated about how to identify signs of burnout and proactively combat the challenges affecting their workforce on a regular basis. Adopting the use of new technologies has been proven to better manage workflow, simplify tasks, and utilize resources more efficiently. The more employers recognize and reduce the adverse effects of burnout, the easier it becomes to engage staff and improve retention.
Offer a Multitude of Learning Opportunities
Ambitious and motivated individuals don’t just desire a competitive salary; they want to consistently learn and grow professionally within their roles. Employers that provide ample opportunities for employees to expand their knowledge and learn from superiors demonstrate a commitment to their people in ways that go far beyond the confines of the workplace. There are many ways to promote employee learning, such as mentorship programs, technical skills training, and certification options. As a catalyst for retention, employees often view these types of offerings as an investment in their success and ongoing development.
Create a Supportive Culture
The quality of culture fostered within a facility plays a paramount role in staff retention. With most healthcare environments being fast-paced and stressful by nature, employers must proactively take steps to address employees’ concerns and prevent burnout to retain their best talent. There are many ways to create a culture that is both supportive and engaging so employees feel comfortable communicating with their managers and taking new initiatives within their organization. From recognizing employee milestones to organizing social gatherings, there’s great value in integrating positive culture-building practices within your management approach.
While there are many factors involved when it comes to talent retention, the strategies outlined above provide a solid framework for long-term staff retention – especially as the healthcare industry continues to undergo so many unprecedented changes.