Healthcare recruiting is challenging across the board, but especially in rural settings, where hospitals routinely face higher vacancy rates, lower retention rates and longer recruitment cycles.
But it doesn’t need to be that way, and some rural hospitals are finding ways to beat the odds. Some strategies involve sweetening job offers, but others are simply about showcasing their setting in a positive light. Like these!
According to one recruitment survey, 46% of rural physicians cited better work-life balance as a key reason behind their choice of practice setting. At a time when healthcare professionals are struggling with record levels of burnout, quality of life is a priority.
Flexible hours, a slower lifestyle, pastoral settings, family-friendly communities…whatever you’ve got to offer, broadcast it loud and clear.
You may have a tighter budget, but you also have something big-city hospitals don’t: a lower cost-of-living. When discussing compensation, provide candidates with cost-of-living calculators and comparisons that bring home the difference—especially with regards to housing. Because given the current housing crunch, an open, affordable real estate market has powerful appeal, particularly to younger professionals.
Beyond compensation, incentives like signing bonuses, low-interest mortgages and student loan repayment programs add excitement to job offers without breaking the bank.
In Montana, for example, rural hospitals partner with the state to offer student loan repayments of up to $37,500 per year (for 2-4 years) to healthcare professionals who are willing to work in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)—and it’s getting attention.
Healthcare professionals who’d rather be a big fish in a small pond than vice versa are your kind of candidate. To attract them, and nurture them through their candidate journey you can leverage UrbanBound Candidate, pre-decision and highlight the following:
Maximize Candidate Onsite Visits
When healthcare professionals come in for onsite visits, it’s a two-way deal: you’re evaluating them—and they’re evaluating you.
So, make sure they see your facility and area at its best. Host them a warm reception. Time their visits to coincide with local events and festivals. Set them up with a primo tour of the area—and, if they’d like, a realtor.
Not only will this help sell them on the community, it will help sell them on your organization—because you’re showing that you value them.
Of course, repay them promptly for their travel expenses. If that’s not easy for your operation, we can help.
Showcase Personal Fulfillment
Rural healthcare professionals often experience a greater sense of mission because they treat underserved communities. They also develop stronger bonds with their patients and colleagues, which can be extremely fulfilling.
One university study found that medical students who score high on service orientation tests are more likely to practice in rural areas. Make sure your job posts are crafted to speak to them—because these are the kinds of caring people you want on your team.
Offer a Steller Relocation Experience
Want to make your job offers dazzle? Include impressive relocation benefits—i.e., not just an allowance, but extensive support in planning their move. Trust us, it makes a difference.
How do we know? Well, to date, we’ve helped more than 10,000 healthcare professionals happily relocate while saving healthcare organizations thousands of dollars per move.
Our software-based relocation solution enables organizations to offer candidates and new hires:
And guess what? Thanks to the cost-saving benefits of technology, you’ll cut your overall relocation costs and admin burden significantly! Learn more.