The Crucial Conversations series provides dynamic opportunity for participants to hear diverse perspectives and insights from an expert panel with varying vantage points. Attendees also participate in collaborative discussion on what they understood, share their own unique perspective and talk about ways we could collectively address challenges and opportunities in care moving forward. Through curated small group conversations, participants in these sessions unpack the complexity of our industry and think about realistic steps that can be taken to make improvements, even incremental ones.
Empowering Healthcare’s Future: Workforce Solutions and AI-Driven Insights
To kick off our Revolutionizing Retention Crucial Conversation, we began with an engaging level-set provided by April Hansen, Group President, Workforce Solutions, Aya Healthcare.
The discussion set the stage with a clear call for organizations to foster career fulfillment and adaptability, emphasizing the importance for healthcare leaders to actively build workplaces that value both the well-being and growth of their employees.
Guiding Principles for Workforce Retention:
1. Career Development: Building long-term paths for employees and nurturing their passion for healthcare.
2. Workforce Analytics and Planning: Using data to predict needs and identify opportunities for internal talent growth.
3. Employee Engagement: Creating a culture that values and retains employees.
4. Future of Tech Enablement: Leveraging AI to enhance workplace efficiency, with the potential for “digital employees” to alleviate routine tasks.
Rising RN Wages: Responding to Demand and Retention Challenges
Significant Wage Growth: Since 2019, the average RN wage has seen a substantial increase, reflecting the growing demand for skilled nursing professionals.
Percentage Increase: RN wages have risen by approximately 11% to 29%, a response to both inflation and heightened workloads within the healthcare sector.
Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated wage adjustments, as the industry recognized the need to attract and retain qualified nurses amidst unprecedented patient volumes and challenges.
Regional Variations: Wage increases varied by region, with some areas experiencing steeper rises due to local demand and staffing shortages.
Implications for Retention: Higher wages have helped in retention efforts but also underscore the ongoing need for broader strategies that address career growth, mental health, and job satisfaction.
[Image Credit: Aya Healthcare All Rights Reserved]
Workforce Challenges and Solutions: Key Themes from Hansen’s Discussion
Allied Health Workforce Supply & Demand: The demand for allied health professionals is outpacing supply, driven by an aging population and specialized care needs. Strategic planning and investment in training are essential to address these shortages. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive national data tracking for all allied health professions creates a challenge, making it difficult to fully assess and address workforce needs.
Factors Impacting the Physician Workforce: Physician shortages are fueled by burnout, an aging workforce, and growing demand. Improving work-life balance is crucial for retaining physicians and addressing workforce gaps.
Career Development: Offering clear career growth pathways enhances job satisfaction and retention. Investing in professional development helps build a skilled, adaptable workforce.
Workforce Analytics: Using data to predict staffing needs and identify turnover risks allows healthcare organizations to better align resources and develop targeted retention strategies.
Employee Engagement & Support: Engaged employees stay longer. Fostering a supportive work environment, offering mental health resources, and valuing staff are key to improving retention.
Tech-Enabled Retention: Technology solutions, like flexible scheduling and performance tracking, help reduce burnout and improve employee satisfaction, contributing to higher retention.
“Our workforce challenges won’t be solved by pay increases alone. To retain and support our healthcare professionals, we need to create environments where they feel valued, supported, and able to grow—places where they can see a future.” – April Hansen, Group President, Workforce Solutions, Aya Healthcare.
[Image Credit: Aya Healthcare All Rights Reserved]
While this outlined key strategies for addressing workforce challenges, such as career development and employee engagement, it’s clear that healthcare organizations still need to prioritize workforce analytics and tech-driven solutions to tackle supply shortages and improve retention.
In our next ‘Revolutionizing Retention: Solutions for Workforce Resilience’ Crucial Conversations recap, we will explore the challenges and strategies necessary to advance workforce resilience, drawing insights from our expert panel: Carolyn Schneider, Chief Human Resources Officer, Ardent Health, Danielle Burkhalter, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Surgery Partners and Jessica Wells, Associate Principal, ECG Management Consultants
Join the Next Installment in the Nashville Health Care Council’s Crucial Conversations Series
The conversations continue May 6, 2025. Members of the Nashville Health Care Council can register today. Not yet a member? Join our experienced and robust ecosystem of healthcare leaders.
The Nashville Health Care Council strengthens and elevates Nashville as the Healthcare City. With a $68 billion economic impact and 333,000 jobs locally, Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem is a world-class healthcare hub. Founded in 1995, the Council serves as the common ground for the city’s vibrant healthcare cluster. The Council offers engagement opportunities where the industry’s most influential executives come together to exchange ideas, share solutions, build businesses, and grow leaders.