America’s healthcare system is in the midst of major shifts. From proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, to recent restructuring within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), change is constant. These developments reflect a system under stress — and one in which consistency in care is more critical than ever.
The workforce is the heart of a health system. For organizations to provide optimal care for their patients, health leaders must ensure their providers are also cared for. Additionally, recruitment and retention directly impact the bottom line, making an engaged workforce more critical than ever. The challenge is clear: to stabilize the healthcare workforce, leaders must prioritize the people who power their organization.
Prioritizing providers to stabilize the workforce
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Healthcare consultants predict a shortage of 100,000 healthcare workers by 2028. Meanwhile, 26% of nurses say they are likely to leave their current roles due to workplace violence. The cost of this turnover is staggering — approximately $56,300 per bedside nurse. This accumulates to an average of $3.9 to $5.8 million in labor costs annually per hospital.
While acknowledging the financial impact of turnover is important, it is only the beginning. Every healthcare organization should ask: what does it truly take to achieve workforce balance? Many look first at the cost, but the starting point should be understanding the root causes of turnover. Whether it’s verbal abuse, burnout, low compensation, or poor working conditions, each factor must be taken seriously — and proactively.
A 2024 ACEP survey revealed that many healthcare professionals feel unheard when reporting workplace violence. Sixty-eight percent of respondents said their employer mishandled their report, and half said no action was taken at all. These are not just missed opportunities; they erode trust. Creating a culture where all staff feel safe and supported must include clear, zero-tolerance policies and timely responses to reported incidents.
Compensation also plays a role in retention. But with tight budgets and bottomlines, organization-wide salary increases may not be the best strategy. To retain staff, organizations must look beyond salary. Flexible scheduling, professional development opportunities, and safe working conditions are essential parts of the value proposition.
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Creating a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and protected leads to greater workforce stability, better care delivery, and ultimately, better outcomes for patients.
Five steps to building a safer, more stable healthcare workplace
To create a supportive workplace, healthcare leaders must work closely with those on the front lines. Here are five key steps to building a healthier, more balanced workforce:
1. Create clarity around the problems
Leaders must identify and understand the real issues facing their teams. From burnout and understaffing to outdated training and compensation gaps, this requires transparent conversations and data-driven decisions. Avoid assumptions—ask staff directly what needs to improve. Then respond with action.
2. Establish the scope of the issue
Determine how widespread an issue is within your organization. If burnout is isolated, targeted interventions may help. If it’s systemic, broader policy or cultural shifts are likely needed. In either case, gathering staff feedback is essential to understand what support is needed most and formulate a plan.
3. Identify and mitigate risk factors
Ensure safety is a cornerstone of your operations. Implement policies such as zero-tolerance for violence, visitor screenings, and de-escalation protocols. A physically and psychologically safe environment promotes retention and contributes to better patient experiences.
4. Provide ongoing training and support
Your people are your greatest asset — empower them. Staff should feel prepared not only to care for patients but also to handle potentially unsafe situations. Regular training on communication, de-escalation, and the use of safety tools ensures staff feel equipped and confident.
5. Communicate openly and frequently
Organizational change must be accompanied by honest and consistent communication. When leaders involve staff in discussions about changes and clearly explain how decisions will affect the workplace, engagement and trust improve.
Final thoughts
Fostering a supportive, safe, and transparent environment is essential to any high-performing healthcare system. The demands of the industry are constant, but when organizations prioritize the physical, emotional, and professional well-being of their caregivers, they build the foundation for long-term workforce stability.
By addressing key systemic challenges — from workplace violence to burnout — leaders can strengthen recruitment and retention and ultimately ensure better care for every patient.
Photo credit: Chinnapong, Getty Images
Andrea Greco is the SVP of Healthcare Safety at CENTEGIX. She's spent decades partnering with customers to deliver solutions that focus on employee, patient, and family satisfaction and engagement. Her current role is focused on the creation and deployment of innovative, layered safety solutions that empower and protect healthcare organizations every day.
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