In the healthcare industry, recruiting top talent is only half the battle. Retaining those professionals—especially after a major transition like relocation—is just as critical. Now, here’s the kicker: the quality of a healthcare worker’s relocation isn’t just a powerful recruiting tool, but can influence how long they stay.
A positive, well-supported relocation experience will lay the foundation for a long, successful employment tenure. On the other hand, a stressful relocation experience can sow seeds of dissatisfaction that can lead to early exits.
And in an industry where stability affects patient care, the importance of retention cannot be overstated.
That’s why it’s important to understand how strong relocation programs can double as powerful retention tools, especially in the uber-competitive healthcare market.
Early Intros Reduce Turnover Risk
Admittedly, healthcare retention rates aren’t great to begin with. Staff shortages remain high. Factor in the stressors of relocating to a new city and hospital, and it just gets worse.
For healthcare professionals walking into new high-pressure roles, feeling lost in an unfamiliar environment ratchets up turnover risks.
But all is not lost. A leading healthcare recruiter has found that, when organizations are attentive to individual healthcare professionals’ needs starting with the recruitment process, retention rates improve.
That’s why quality relocation support goes beyond the logistics of moving household goods from Point A to Point B—such as by arming relocating professionals with current, accurate information about their new location.
What kind of information? At UrbanBound, we’ve found providing comprehensive housing data, school ratings and a wide range of neighborhood factoids help relocating professionals make informed choices. And making the right lifestyle choices sets them up to settle in faster.
Smooth Moves Boost Staying Power
Of course, you want your newly arrived physicians and nurses to hit the ground running, rather than be sidetracked by the fallout of a move gone wrong.
For one thing, you need them on the job ASAP. For another, the sooner they learn their way around and feel like part of the team, the less likely they are to leave.
You simply can’t afford common relocation pitfalls like missing furniture and botched closings. Those kinds of hiccups color a new hires’ first impressions, souring the employer/employee relationship before it even begins.
That’s why at UrbanBound we use a combination of easy-to-use software and experienced services teams to guide employees through every step of the relocation process, hurdle-free.
When their move proceeds smoothly, new hires arrive in the right frame of mind—and that makes adjusting that much easier.
The Choice of Supplier Matter More Than You Think
In medicine, precision matters. Errors are not an option. Off-days are not allowed.
That same perfectionist mindset should be adopted by every vendor supporting your employees’ relocations.
For example, not all movers are alike. Some are terrific, some are sloppy, some are outright fraudsters. Similarly, there are super-capable real-estate agents who facilitate smooth property transactions and others who aren’t ready for primetime.
How do you help your people choose wisely? At UrbanBound, we built our own network of rigorously-screened movers, real-estate agents and mortgage lenders. We negotiate great discounts with them, in return for great performance and repeat business.
It’s yet another way we ensure that incoming professionals’ relocation experience sets them up for success from day one.
Caring Creates Commitment
Here’s a healthcare HR truth: when workers feel valued, they stay longer. The sooner you can show your new hire that you value them, personally, the better impression you’ll make. That’s why the relocation experience is so important—and why, beyond robust benefits, it’s essential to provide warm, personalized relocation support.
Great relocation experiences show healthcare workers that your organization sees them as whole people—not just providers. In an industry where burnout and churn are rampant, that’s a huge advantage.
Ready to turn your relocation program into a long-term retention strategy? We can help you build a caring, cost-effective, retention-driven relocation program—just as we have for hundreds of healthcare employers.
Stay up to date
Subscribe to the blog for the latest updates
5. Leverage Technology for Smoother Relocations
If you do just one thing to enhance your new employees’ first experiences, make it this: use a tech-based relocation solution. That way, employees get both hands-on help from specialists and the magic of comprehensive online support.
The UrbanBound platform guides employees step-by-step through the relocation process. It connects them to pre-screened, vetted suppliers: moving companies, top real-estate agents, even leading lenders (and special discounted rates).
Plus, it gives them access to practical insider tips, crowdsourced from their soon-to-be peers. Where can they find the best coffee on night shift? What’s the secret to navigating hectic hospital parking?
Not only does this help “new kids” get the lay of the land, it shows them that their new team consists of helpful humans they’ll want to get to know.
A Seamless Transition = Better Retention
Relocating healthcare professionals bring much-needed skills and fresh energy to your organization. But if they feel isolated or unsupported, they’re not likely to stick around.
By enhancing the employee relocation experience, you’ll do more than ease a long-distance move. You’ll help new transplants feel at home, on the job and in their new community.
Some of that is up to you and your people. But your relocation provider has a role to play here, too. At UrbanBound, we’ve helped more than 10,000 healthcare professionals relocate—while helping their employers win the battle for talent.
Take the next step: see what some of the leading names in healthcare say about us.
