In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, the demand for talent isn’t just about recruitment—it's about retention. Retaining skilled healthcare professionals is essential to delivering consistent, high-quality care, reducing costs, and maintaining a strong workplace culture. But to truly impact retention, healthcare organizations must start by asking the right questions.
Here are the top questions every HR leader, administrator, and executive should be asking themselves when it comes to employee retention in healthcare:
1. Are your Employee Retention Percentages achieving your goals?
Before any strategy can be put into place, it’s essential to understand the baseline. Are you hitting your retention targets—or simply hoping things improve? If your turnover rate is high, it’s time to dig deeper. Understanding why employees leave (and why they stay) is critical to shaping actionable strategies.
2. Do you know how your Brand Identity and Brand Equity is perceived by your Internal Customer (Your Employee)?
We often talk about brand equity in terms of patients and the public, but what about the people on the inside? Your employees are your internal customers—and their perception of your brand can directly affect their engagement and loyalty. Do they feel proud to be part of your organization? Do they believe in the mission and values you promote externally? If not, there’s a disconnect that needs to be addressed.
3. Is your Senior Management Team committed to an ongoing effort to maximize your internal Brand Loyalty?
Retention is not a one-time campaign or initiative—it requires sustained commitment from leadership. If your senior management isn't fully on board, efforts may stall. Building a culture of loyalty takes time, consistency, and buy-in from the top down. Is your leadership team actively modeling and promoting the culture you want to retain?
4. Are there certain actions or tactics that can be employed to build your Brand Identity and ultimately improve your Employee Retention Percentages?
Yes—and no. There is no single “magic pill” that can instantly transform how your employees view your organization. However, there are proven, strategic procedural tactics that, when implemented effectively, can dramatically improve your internal brand and significantly boost retention.
These might include:
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Developing internal brand ambassadors.
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Establishing mentorship programs.
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Providing clear pathways for career advancement.
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Creating ongoing feedback loops between staff and leadership.
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Offering meaningful recognition and rewards.
It’s not just about the perks—it’s about making employees feel seen, heard, and valued.
5. Can you set time to do an Audit/Review of your current Retention Goals, actual Retention Percentages, Communication activities, and Employee Award opportunities?
When was the last time you conducted a comprehensive audit of your retention efforts? Reviewing your goals versus actual outcomes is key to identifying where gaps exist. Additionally, analyzing how you communicate with staff, the recognition systems you have in place, and your overall employee experience will help uncover areas for improvement.
Retention in healthcare isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a brand and culture game. When you begin asking the right questions, you open the door to meaningful change. No one tactic will fix it all, but with strategic effort, your organization can create an environment where healthcare professionals feel engaged, respected, and motivated to stay for the long haul.
Ready to improve your employee retention strategy? Start with these questions—and let them guide your next steps.
Partnering for Your Success
Improving employee retention is a complex challenge, but with the right strategies, it can be achieved. The S Group specializes in helping healthcare organizations navigate these complexities to create sustainable, effective retention programs.
To learn more or schedule a meeting on how the S-Group can help improve your retention rates, contact us below.
