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How to Retain Quality Employees in the Healthcare Industry

August 7, 2024
Giselle Bardwell
Engaging employees is important for any organization, as it can help improve productivity, boost morale, and reduce turnover. With healthcare staffing shortages happening nationwide, it’s imperative to ensure your best employees stay with your company. After all, it’s easier to KEEP an employee than it is to GAIN an employee.

But what incentives are important in this competitive market? 

We’ll dive into how the healthcare industry ends up losing top talent and offer solutions to create a symbiotic working relationship that benefits you, your employees and your patients. 


Understanding Why Medical Staff Quit

Caregiving is a challenging and demanding job that requires a great deal of time and effort from individuals. Healthcare staff often work long hours supporting individuals who require assistance with daily activities, medical procedures, complex care, and more. 

As a result, it is essential to create an attractive work environment for healthcare workers that promotes their well-being and productivity. 

It is not uncommon for healthcare facilities, particularly small ones, to struggle with retaining staff. There can be many reasons why workers may leave a position, and it is important to understand and address these issues in order to improve retention rates.
 

Compensation & Financial Incentives for Healthcare Workers

Most of us work to earn a living wage. If we love what we do, it’s a bonus. Caregiving is no different. It can be a challenging job that requires a lot of physical and emotional labor, and staff should be compensated accordingly. 

Providing health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits can help workers feel more secure and valued in their jobs. It also helps to reduce stress and improve overall job satisfaction.

These can include bonuses, raises, and other forms of compensation that reward employees for their performance or contributions to the organization.


Lack of Training, Resources and Support for Medical Staff

One reason why healthcare workers may leave a facility is due to a lack of support and resources. They’re responsible for providing high-quality care to patients, and they need the necessary tools and support to do so. 

This may include access to the latest technology and equipment, as well as ongoing training and professional development opportunities. If your staff feel that they are not being provided with the resources they need to do their job effectively, they may look for employment elsewhere.

Providing training and support helps caregivers to perform their job duties more effectively, which can lead to increased job satisfaction. It also helps to reduce the risk of injury or illness, which can occur when caregivers are not properly trained. 
 

Healthcare Workers Need Work/Life Balance 

One of the most critical aspects of creating an attractive work environment for caregivers is providing flexibility in scheduling. Staff often have other responsibilities that require their attention, such as caring for children or managing their households. And we all deserve time to enjoy family, friends, and self-care. 

Providing flexible scheduling encourages a healthy work-life balance, essential to prevent burnout and maintain job satisfaction. Additionally, flexibility reduces stress levels and improves overall job satisfaction. 

If your staff doesn’t feel that they have sufficient time off or opportunities for rest and relaxation, they may become burnt out and look for employment elsewhere.
 

Fostering a Positive Work Environment for Caregivers

Healthcare staff turnover may occur when there’s a toxic work environment. This can include things like poor communication and lack of teamwork, as well as bullying and harassment. If your staff doesn’t feel valued or respected by their colleagues or superiors, they may choose to leave the facility.

A positive work environment includes things like open communication, positive feedback, and a supportive culture. When caregivers feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be motivated and productive. 

It is important to create a culture of respect and inclusivity, where everyone's contributions are recognized and appreciated. Strive to arrange team building activities to boost morale. Some of the most popular events are holiday parties and food drives.
 

Provide Opportunities for Professional Growth

For some, job satisfaction can rely on the potential for new challenges. Many healthcare staff members don’t like being bored at work. Providing opportunities for professional growth can help caregivers to develop new skills and advance in their careers. 

This can lead to increased job satisfaction and a more fulfilling career. Employers can offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and other career development resources that help caregivers to achieve their professional goals.

You’ll be able to help improve retention and engagement by providing employees with support and resources to advance their careers within the organization.
 

Getting Buy In from Your Healthcare Staff

Employee engagement surveys are tools that allow your staff to provide feedback on their job satisfaction and the overall work environment. These questionnaires can help identify areas for improvement and can be a useful tool for retaining employees by addressing their concerns and needs.

Creating an attractive work environment for caregivers is essential to attract and retain talented motivated individuals. By prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of caregivers, you’re creating a more productive and fulfilling work environment for everyone involved.

As a healthcare staffing agency, we at BrightStar Care Cleveland are focused on maintaining a high employee retention rate. Our company works to achieve this by implementing incentives that motivate and reward employees for their contributions to the organization. More importantly, we want to ensure our team has supportive resources that allow for enjoyable and efficient work. 

If you have questions on how to improve your employee environment or need help finding new, temporary or permanent staff members in Northeast Ohio, please call us at (440) 613-1500 or contact us via our website. We’ve implemented a number of our own incentives we’re happy to share with you.