The mission of providing compassionate care has always been central to Catholic health systems, but it’s also a guiding principle for any healthcare organization that's committed to delivering equitable, dignified care.
In a conversation with Laura J. Atkinson, former VP and CHRO at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, and Rod Nunn, VP of Culture and Team Member experience at SSM Health, the two leaders shared how education is helping advance that mission and drive business outcomes.
"The reality is that our existing workforce challenges will continue to grow if we don't start trying to solve our own problems"
- Laura J. Atkinson
Former VP and CHRO
From increasing retention to filling job openings from within, education is a strategic tool for building a stronger, more values-driven workforce.
3 ways education supports your healthcare talent goals
Here are three ways these healthcare leaders are using workforce education to drive impact:
- Investing in employees enables compassionate care: When employees are given the opportunity to grow at work, they become more engaged and empowered in their roles. That translates into a more resilient workforce and better care at the bedside.
- Education addresses multiple talent goals: It's not just about skill-building. Education drives real business outcomes like improved retention, stronger internal mobility, and greater workplace equity.
- Education is a cost-saving measure: An effective education program helps health systems build internal pipelines for critical roles. In the long run, this helps to offset the cost of turnover as well as contract labor and external recruitment.
Ready for a deeper dive? Catch Rod and Laura's full conversation here for more expert advice on how to use education to strengthen your healthcare workforce.
