What makes a healthcare organization exceptional? Often, the focus is on qualities like staff credentials, innovation, compassion and patient outcomes. But there’s a silent partner supporting all of these behind the scenes: the organization’s relocation program.
It will never make headlines, but first-class relocation benefits play an essential role in building and maintaining top-performing healthcare teams.
To that end, consider these five ways that a hospital’s relocation program contributes to its performance. Then ask yourself: is your relocation provider a worthy partner?
1. Time is Money: The High Cost of Vacancies
Every day that a healthcare position remains unfilled translates to losses. Lost opportunities. Lost revenue. Mounting strain on existing staff, which eventually morphs into even greater losses.
Studies show that it takes about six to 18 months to fill an open position. The moment a physician accepts an offer, the relocation countdown clock starts ticking.
A strategic relocation program—one with, say, a time-saving digital platform and network of pre-screened vendors—gets new hires moved and settled in swiftly and smoothly. And every day gained offers value to healthcare employers.
2. Competitive Edge: Relocation Benefits Are a Recruitment Tool
In competitive job markets—and what’s more competitive than healthcare?—offering robust relocation benefits is a distinct recruiting advantage.
According to one 2024 study of 2,000 physician job offers, only 55% included relocation benefits. It makes it a significant differentiator, especially in rural and underserved areas where employers need every hiring edge.
And it’s not just about providing an allowance. Offering meaningful relocation support—such as help planning the move and housing assistance—skyrockets a job offer’s appeal. For example, one of the most popular aspects of UrbanBound’s relocation solution is our discounted mortgage rate program.
Candidates can’t wait to learn about this—just ask our lending partners like Rocket Mortgage. If your relocation package doesn’t offer something similar, you should find out why.
3. First Impressions Matter: Relocation Sets the Tone
The relocation experience is often one of a new hire’s first interactions with their employer’s culture. A seamless, supportive move will foster a sense of caring and commitment. Conversely, a disorganized relocation process often leaves new hires disappointed and distrusting—not a great way to start.
Research shows that a robust onboarding process leads to improved retention. Your relocation program is, in effect, the start of your onboarding process—pre-boarding, if you will. The more thoroughly you introduce your new hires to your organization and community in advance, the sooner they’ll get comfortable.
That’s why a whole section of UrbanBound’s platform is dedicated to not only introducing employees to their new employer and location, but making them feel welcome.
4. Employer Branding: Word Gets Around
In the age of social media and online reviews, word about an organization’s relocation program—or lack thereof—spreads quickly. Especially in a market like healthcare, where professionals are conscious about the risk of burnout and actively seeking more caring employers.
Offering an impressive relocation program not only boosts recruitment on a case-by-case basis, it enhances your organization’s reputation overall. And when you’re perceived as an employer of choice, more candidates will seek you out on their own.