There’s no question that healthcare professionals face higher stress and burnout levels than workers in other fields. Recent research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine surveyed nearly 15,000 physicians and 11,000 nurses. The study found that about 56% of Nurses, 54% of clinical staff, and 47% of doctors reported experiencing recent burnout.
Due to the intense labor required in healthcare fields, these high burnout levels are not surprising. However, many organizations have begun implementing recruiting strategies highlighting employee wellness programs and support systems. Implementing employee wellbeing and burnout presentation strategies can help attract new hires, creating a welcoming and understanding environment for overworked healthcare professionals.
What is Burnout and Why Does it Matter?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, burnout is “a high degree of emotional exhaustion” often experienced by healthcare workers. The daily conditions and realities of the U.S. healthcare system can leave workers feeling overworked and stressed, leading to burnout. Burnout can profoundly affect a person’s emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing.
Burnout can be caused by a variety of factors, which vary depending on the healthcare setting. Common reasons for burnout include pressure to perform, lack of support from managers, overload of work, external stressors, and more. HR professionals working in healthcare settings must understand the power of burnout and how it can impact the hiring process.
With this in mind, directors and higher-level executives in healthcare settings can develop strategies to help mitigate burnout among workers. Below, explore some new strategies healthcare organizations are implementing to help reduce the impact of this rising employee burnout.
Burnout Prevention Strategies
When it comes to reducing burnout among healthcare workers, there are several creative approaches organizations can take. One approach organizations in the healthcare industry use more frequently is providing structured recovery time and breaks for workers. In past decades, workers were encouraged to continue working without needing rest or recovery time.
To implement this new approach, managers can create schedules to create necessary recovery time and breaks for employees. Highlighting this when recruiting can help attract workers looking to work in a place that supports mental health and wellness. To take things one step further, organizations can create dedicated quiet spaces or rest spots where employees can take a breather when feeling stressed.
Workplaces can also encourage employees to utilize allotted PTO days in order to help support wellness. Instead of employees overworking, managers should remain positive and supportive of employees requesting to take time off to rest.
Employee Wellness Programs
To support the high stress levels experienced by healthcare workers, employee wellness programs have gained traction amongst organizations. Employee wellness programs promote social interaction, encourage stress relief, striving to encourage overall wellness. Wellness programs can target a specific aspect of health, such as nutrition or exercise, or be geared towards more general wellness. This recruitment strategy shows that your organization cares about the wellbeing of each employee beyond the workplace.
Whether it’s offering an on-site fitness center, providing yoga classes, or offering incentive-based programs for healthy eating, there are many ways to successfully implement employee wellness programs to reduce burnout. Employee wellness programs leave lots of room for creativity. According to recent research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 83% of hospitals in the U.S. provide workplace wellness programs, compared to only 46% for all employers in general. This statistic stresses the importance of implementing creative employee wellness programs for recruiting.
Follow MRINetwork to Learn More
Follow MRINetwork to learn more about employee wellbeing and burnout prevention practices to help your hiring process. Find an MRINetwork office to help you reach your goals. Using a unique approach that combines industry knowledge and strategic efforts such as these employee wellbeing and prevention strategies, we can help you find the perfect candidates for your hiring needs.
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