Staffing Challenges Are the New Normal in Healthcare—But They Can Be Overcome

The healthcare sector is no stranger to staffing issues. High turnover rates and difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled staff have plagued the industry, with the pandemic exacerbating these problems.

According to a report by Healthcare Dive, hospital CEOs said workforce challenges were the number one concern facing their organizations in 2023—the second year in a row this was the case.

As the demand for healthcare services surges, addressing these issues is of utmost importance. Here, we'll explore the current state of staffing challenges in healthcare as well as how organizations can forge a path forward.

Causes of the Staffing Shortage

COVID-19 has amplified the existing staffing challenges in healthcare. The unprecedented demands placed on healthcare workers have led to burnout, contributing to high turnover rates.

Additionally, social distancing measures have created unique challenges in recruiting and training new staff members.

Nonetheless, the pandemic is only part of the reason why healthcare organizations are struggling with workers.

According to the Keck School of Medicine of USC, healthcare organizations are also attempting to provide care for an increasingly aging population. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has also "identified a lack of nursing faculty as a contributing factor to the nursing shortage."

Nursing colleges turned away 80,407 applicants from 2019 to 2020 simply due to a lack of capacity.

To address these challenges, healthcare organizations must take a multi-faceted approach that includes changes to organizational culture, continuing education, and the day-to-day working experience for healthcare staff.

Embracing Flexibility

One of the potential solutions for these staffing issues is implementing flexible work arrangements. This could include telemedicine roles that allow medical professionals to provide patient care from the comfort of their homes.

While telemedicine was deemed a necessity during the pandemic, it also presented an opportunity to enable some types of employees to take advantage of flexible schedules and remote means of providing care. Many would agree that telehealth isn't appropriate in some circumstances, but it could provide a range of flexibility in the workplace.

Similarly, another option is flexible scheduling, which can help retain staff who need to balance their work with personal commitments. Staff who have more choice of when they work will be able to better manage other responsibilities in their lives, such as childcare.

Finally, organizations can leverage contingent workforces to fill gaps in staffing. Although this approach can be expensive, it has proven to be an important step in maintaining the continuum of care for patients.

Upskilling Programs

Upskilling programs can also be an effective tool for addressing staffing challenges. By providing continuing education opportunities, healthcare organizations can help their employees advance their skills and knowledge.

This not only benefits the organization by creating a more skilled workforce, but it also benefits the employees by providing them with career growth opportunities, thereby increasing job satisfaction and retention.

Healthcare Drive also reported that partnering with schools has been a potential long-term strategy for some organizations. This would allow them to create a pipeline for new graduates to access healthcare positions quickly after graduating, as well as a means for giving current employees easy access to continuing education opportunities.

According to the report, "HCA Healthcare, which acquired a majority ownership stake in Galen College of Nursing in 2020, has since helped open several campuses in a bid to build its nursing workforce in the long term."

Culture Change

Beyond flexible work arrangements and upskilling, it's crucial to foster a supportive and resilient culture. Organizations must show they value their staff by recognizing their hard work, providing mental health resources, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

This not only improves job satisfaction but can also significantly reduce burnout and turnover.

Formal recognition programs, for example, are an effective way to show appreciation for staff. This can be done in the form of awards, certificates, and other tangible rewards.

Additionally, organizations should work to create a supportive environment by offering mentorship and training programs that provide support with career advancement, as well as mental health resources that allow employees access to professional help when they need it.

Finally, providing opportunities for meaningful work can also help to reduce burnout. This could include giving employees more autonomy over their roles, as well as allowing them to take part in decision-making processes.

Offer Incentives and Benefits

Plenty of healthcare systems will also explore monetary and benefits incentives to encourage workers not only to apply for positions but also to stay in the long term.

According to a report by Medical Economics, in May 2023, 88.2% of medical groups were offering referral bonuses, up from 82.8% previously. Similarly, 77.6% were offering sign-on bonuses and 55.7% were making changes to their benefits programs.

These types of incentives can be powerful motivators to encourage more staff to join and improve retention rates. However, they must be coupled with other strategies, such as creating a supportive culture and providing flexible work arrangements.

The Way Forward

Overcoming staffing challenges in the healthcare sector is no easy task, especially in the wake of a global pandemic. However, by embracing flexibility, offering upskilling programs, and fostering a resilient culture, healthcare organizations can create a more robust and resilient workforce ready to meet the challenges of the industry.

This is not just about surviving the current crisis—it's about building a stronger healthcare system for the future.

To learn more, don’t miss NGPX 2023. It’s happening from November 28 - 29 at the Westin Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs, California.

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