The healthcare industry faces a unique challenge: fostering employee engagement amidst demanding schedules, high stress, and a constant focus on patient care. Highly engaged employees in healthcare settings lead to better patient outcomes, improved staff retention, and a more positive work environment, all of which translate to a significant competitive advantage. But how do HR leaders navigate these complexities to cultivate a workforce as healthy as the care they strive to deliver?
Boosting employee engagement in healthcare can be summed up in three words: Ask, Listen, and Act. With the help of employee surveys, you can enact actionable strategies to increase engagement and address many of the concerning trends shaping the current landscape.
Employee Engagement Surveys: The Foundation for Action
From the emergency room to the surgery center, employee engagement surveys are a cornerstone of any successful healthcare organization’s HR strategy. These surveys provide valuable insights into employee sentiment, allowing leaders to identify both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
More importantly, they go beyond simply collecting data and focus on gaining real results, all by leveraging employee feedback. Employee engagement surveys enable you to check in at key points across the employee lifecycle, discover what drives them, prioritize actions based on impact, and communicate results back to your workforce.
How to Increase Employee Engagement in Healthcare
Increasing employee engagement in healthcare requires a multi-faceted approach. The following are key strategies to consider that organizations like Prosser Memorial Health find invaluable:
- Foster a Culture of Recognition and Appreciation. People crave feeling valued. Recognize individual and team achievements, both big and small. Implement programs that celebrate milestones, contributions, and going the extra mile.
- Invest in Continuous Learning and Development. Provide opportunities for your staff to grow professionally. Offer training programs, tuition reimbursement, and mentorship opportunities. By investing in your employees’ development, you demonstrate your commitment to their long-term success.
- Empowerment and Autonomy. Give your employees a sense of ownership and control over their work. This could involve involving them in decision-making processes, delegating tasks effectively, and providing opportunities for them to use their skills and expertise.
- Promote Work-Life Balance. Demanding schedules are a reality in healthcare. However, promoting work-life balance is crucial. Offer flexible scheduling options, paid time off, and access to mental health resources. By supporting a healthy work-life balance, you contribute to employee well-being and prevent burnout.
- Open Communication and Transparency. Leaders who communicate openly and transparently engender trust and build stronger relationships with their teams. Encourage managers to hold regular communication meetings, share relevant information, and encourage two-way dialogue.
Tailor your Approach
The strategies above work well in nearly any workplace, but the healthcare industry in particular can benefit from additional considerations. For instance, start by focusing on meaning and purpose. Remind staff of the positive impact they have on patients’ lives. Showcase success stories and highlight how their work contributes to the organization’s mission.
Secondly, because the healthcare industry is facing a mental health crisis, prioritizing staff wellbeing is a must. Think: access to mental health providers, ample paid time off, and discounted gym memberships. Finally, encourage teamwork and collaboration, particularly across departments, as each plays a different but equally important role in patient care. Encourage peer-to-peer recognition, and create opportunities for teams to celebrate achievements together. By embracing these strategies, you can create a work environment that motivates, engages, and retains your valuable healthcare staff.
Current Trends in Employee Engagement in Healthcare
We all know that employee engagement in healthcare is constantly evolving. Currently, a nursing shortage is making it more important than ever to focus on engaging these front-line caregivers. Employee engagement strategies that address their specific needs are crucial for retention. For instance, the desire for flexible work arrangements is on the rise, particularly among younger generations. Healthcare organizations that offer flexible scheduling options, remote work opportunities, and work-life balance programs are better positioned to attract and retain top talent.
As burnout rates amongst healthcare workers rise, smart organizations are placing a greater emphasis on employee mental health and wellbeing initiatives. Offering mental health resources, promoting self-care, and fostering a supportive work environment are becoming essential employee engagement strategies.
Employee Engagement in Healthcare is not a Luxury – it’s a Necessity
By prioritizing employee well-being, empowerment, and growth, HR teams have the power to cultivate a healthcare workforce that delivers exceptional patient care. More importantly, happier employees not only avoid burnout but also are more likely to stick around for the long term, helping avoid the high costs associated with turnover. People Element makes it easy to engage your employees with a platform that manages all aspects of the surveying process. From asking the right questions to providing actionable insights, let us show you how. Request a free demo today.
