Health care workforce retention may be aided by education and career advancement, suggests a recent survey.
The healthcare workforce shortage and burnout continue to be ongoing concerns in the United States, a challenge that is expected to worsen with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. According to a Harris Poll survey commissioned by Strategic Education Inc., more than half of healthcare workers are considering leaving their jobs in the next year.
Adele Webb, Executive Dean of Healthcare Initiatives at Strategic Education, Inc., suggests that the opportunity for education and career advancement, along with upfront tuition support, could help retain healthcare workers. The survey results support this notion, with over 60% of healthcare employees indicating they would be likely to stay with their employer if tuition support was provided.
Reduced workloads and flexible shifts are additional factors that healthcare workers consider when deciding to stay with their employer. These factors, combined with educational opportunities and tuition assistance, could potentially serve as effective retention strategies for healthcare workers.
The aging of the Baby Boomer generation is a significant demographic shift that will have implications for the healthcare system in the United States. By 2040, around 78.3 million Americans will be 65 or older, exacerbating the existing strain on the healthcare system.
The aging population and the declining birth rate are related issues facing the United States. The challenge posed by the aging population to the healthcare system was addressed in a 2024 National Library of Medicine journal article, but the article did not specify a solution to the challenge. The article's authors, Friedrich H. Moll, Erki Tammiksaar, Thorsten Halling, and Nils Hansson, highlighted the need for further research and discussion on this crucial topic.
It's important to note that the healthcare system has continued to experience burnout in the five years since the COVID pandemic. This burnout, coupled with the looming healthcare worker shortage, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to retain and attract healthcare workers.
While the Harris Poll survey did not specify the types of educational programs or career advancement opportunities that healthcare workers value, it does suggest that these benefits are highly sought after as retention tools. By addressing the educational and career advancement needs of healthcare workers, employers may be better positioned to retain their staff and meet the demands of the growing elderly population.
In conclusion, the healthcare workforce shortage and burnout are pressing issues that require immediate attention. By providing tuition support, reducing workloads, and offering flexible shifts, employers can potentially retain their healthcare workers and meet the needs of the current and future population. Further research and discussion are needed to fully understand the complexities of this issue and identify effective solutions.
Read also:
- Dual-function mattress offers both cooling and coziness at an affordable price.
- Ontario falls short by a small margin in delivering the goal of four hours daily care for long-term care residents.
- "Thrilled response" from animal rights organization following cessation of canine testing at London, Ontario healthcare facility
- Altruistic zeal and a drive to instigate beneficial transformation
