Valued Voice

Hospitals, health systems and the health care workforce are encountering challenges in the environment like never before—continued high volumes of patients compounded by waves of seasonal illnesses, high vacancy rates in many segments of the workforce, changing expectations of a multi-generational workforce trying to meet the increased demand created by the aging of the baby boom generation, and competition from other industries for a shrinking workforce as these same baby boomers retire in increasing numbers each year.  
 
It’s more important than ever before to highlight the satisfying and rewarding careers health care offers and the efforts that hospitals and health systems undertake to protect and promote Wisconsin’s health care workforce.
 
It is WHA’s hope that this year’s Workforce Report will feature stories of the creative measures you’re taking to boost staffing and protect and preserve the workforce necessary to continue to deliver the high-quality care and value Wisconsin citizens experience and deserve.
 
Each hospital may submit one article in each category: (Please indicate at the top of your story which category you are submitting for.)
 

• Innovative investments in recruitment and retention, such as bonuses, incentives for longevity, or changes you’ve made that help team members delay retirement or return to the workforce.
• Staffing and scheduling enhancements, such as flexible scheduling, self-scheduling, virtual support from resource RNs, or other innovations to address the work-life harmony and boundaries that are becoming increasingly important to the workforce.
• Meaningful protections or actions, such as workplace violence prevention efforts, assistance with a licensure delay, support of further education or other changes you’ve implemented that your employees say “really mean a lot.”

Photos are welcome and encouraged! 
 
No story is too big or too small, so please do not hesitate to share your stories and examples. At WHA, we believe there is power in your stories. Policymakers and the public have gained a bigger view of the challenges our Wisconsin hospitals faced over the last few years. Now it’s time to make sure they also hear about the efforts and innovations continuously underway by hospitals and health systems to promote, protect and support your workforce through these challenging times.
 
Send stories to WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk by Jan. 16, 2023.