It's incumbent on hospital leaders to address the concerns of all their employees to ensure a sustainable workforce.
For hospital and health systems CEOs, recruitment and retention efforts with the current workforce require more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
As many as five generations make up clinical and non-clinical staff at organizations, putting the onus on decision-makers to understand the various factors that are driving workers to switch jobs or exit the industry.
The youngest generation could see the biggest exodus in the near future, with 22% of Gen Z (ages 18-27) reporting they plan to leave healthcare within the next three years, according to a report by Soliant Health.
The number one reason Gen Z cited for departing healthcare is an unhealthy workplace environment and culture (14.1%), which was also the leading cause for surveyed workers ages 44-59 (20.6%) and 60-plus (23.7%).
High levels of job stress or burnout were other significant drivers for ages 44-59 and 60-plus, at 19.9% and 19.1% respectively, but less of a concern for Gen Z (9.4%).
Meanwhile, ages 28-43 cited high levels of job stress or burnout as their main issue (19.1%), followed closely by poor work-life balance (17%).
When it comes to reasons for choosing a job, salary and benefits were top of the list for all generations, with ages 44-59 (25.3%) and 60-plus (25.5%) ranking them highest.
Work-life balance was most important to ages 28-43 (21%), while career advancement opportunities were more relevant for ages 18-27 (15.9%).
One area that the youngest generation showed significantly more interest in was technology and tools available for the job, which, at 7.3%, was at least more than double any other age group.
The different preferences and motivators among generations means organizations need to expand their offerings to appeal to as many people in their workforce as possible.
Check out this month’s HealthLeaders cover story to learn how hospitals CEOs are fighting the multigenerational war within their own walls.
Jay Asser is the CEO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
A new report by Soliant Health reveals the reasons why healthcare workers of all ages are leaving the industry.
Gen Z are most bothered by unhealthy workplace environment and culture, whereas older generations care more about high levels of job stress or burnout.
To attract talent and minimize turnover, hospital CEOs should find ways to improve the entire range of the employee experience, including work-life balance, career advancement, and leadership support.