The Healthcare Talent Shortage: Part 2 - How to Retain Top Talent

Oct 12, 2022

As the U.S. continues to face a healthcare worker shortage, many employers find themselves at a loss for how to retain top talent. Are nurses the answer? Maybe. Will millennials and Gen Z pull us through? Possibly. Odds are, the solution is a mixed bag and it will take a multifaceted approach to attract and retain high-quality candidates.

One thing is for certain – when hiring, you need a plan to keep talent in today’s market. Outside of a competitive salary and compensation package, there are several things employers can offer that can tip scales in their favor. Let’s explore some options that might help fill positions — for the long haul.

Culture fit is everything. 

Culture is the foundation for employee satisfaction. When a candidate's values align with an organization’s values, it’s easier for other factors to fall into place. Before hiring a candidate, be sure that your organization’s values and expectations agree with your potential candidate. It also helps to determine whether or not the candidate will get along with the rest of your staff. 

Work-life balance is necessary.

Burnout is real and it’s increasingly responsible for employee turnover. Nearly 50% of healthcare providers have reported experiencing burnout post-pandemic. What’s more, Millennials – who will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025 – are especially cognizant of the importance of work-life balance and their demands for it are, more often than not, being met. 

Speaking of burnout, let’s talk wellness. 

To help prevent burnout, employers who offer wellness benefits find themselves at an advantage with potential candidates. These days, wellness benefits are just considered perks, they’re necessary to attract long-term talent. Offerings like free health counseling, mental health services, fitness memberships, or even massage allowances go a long way to keeping employees happy. 

Offer growth opportunities. 

It’s not a new idea – many candidates see potential opportunities as a means to attain greater opportunities in the future. To help candidates grow with you – and on their own – it is necessary to offer growth opportunities and leadership development to allow examples to grow their skill sets and chart their career paths. 

A new generation of workers demands new tech.

Thanks to the pandemic, tech like telemedicine and remote monitoring became more commonplace. This kind of tech makes work increasingly flexible, time-efficient and more patient-centered and the new generation of healthcare workers expect it in their workplace. 

With over 20+ years of placing top-quality healthcare professionals, the deepest databases of potential candidates in the healthcare industry, and talented recruiters willing to help every step of the way, Inline can help. Learn more about all of our platform options and how we can help you find the perfect match. Learn more here.

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