Top 5 Job Benefits That Employees Really Care About

Job benefits can make or break a job position. They can have a huge influence on whether a possible applicant applies, whether a candidate takes the job, and whether a current employee stays at their job.  Stay competitive with your benefits in order to attract and retain the very best talent.

Top 5 Job Benefits That Employees Really Care About
Top 5 Job Benefits That Employees Really Care About

We’ve gathered the top five job benefits that employees today care about:

1.) Health Benefits

It’s no surprise that health benefits are at the top of the list. Most people care about their health, especially those in the medical field! Give your employees comprehensive plans with multiple options. Even though some people want family plans, others may not. It’s extremely important to give your employees quality choices, for every price level.

2.) Work-Life Balance

Nowadays, we are expected to work while also balancing family and friend commitments. Facilities that do not give their staff proper work-life balance, are allowing their staff’s motivation to suffer. Working too many hours, too long of shifts, and overexerting oneself at work can lead to burnout.

Burnout leads to more serious conditions and also lowers the amount of positive patient outcomes. Motivate your staff and give them flexibility in their schedule.

3.) Choice of Location

A long, traffic-filled commute every day kills an employee’s motivation. Give your staff the option to switch it up! Offer them the ability to switch facility locations, and float between locations. Working closer to home makes a huge difference in someone’s day.

4.) Assignment Variety

Many nurses and nurse aides want to be exposed to a variety of medical settings. This allows them to get a vast amount of experience, while also eliminating the monotony of working at the same facility every day. Facilities that work with agencies are likely to have a highly motivated staff, because of the constant change of work setting.

5.) Shift Autonomy

What’s more convenient than being able to chose what shift you work? Nurses and nurse aides value being able to request their preferred shifts, and preferred days of the week to work. Listen to your employees and give them a say in their position.

It’s extremely important to take the time and consideration in choosing top notch job benefits. Keep in mind these efforts will help you recruit and retain employees. Show that you’re listening to your staff and making the efforts to accommodate their preferences. You’ll have a happier staff and happier patients!

How Flexible Work Schedules Will Revamp Your Facility

The healthcare industry is thriving, and many areas are flooded with multiple healthcare facilities. Hundreds of options are available to those in the market for a nursing home, assisted living facility, etc. How do you set your facility apart from the competition? It starts with implementing flexible work schedules.

How Flexible Schedules Will Revamp Your Facility
How Flexible Schedules Will Revamp Your Facility

Here’s just a few aspects of your facility that flexible work schedules will enhance:

Staff’s Job Satisfaction

People’s values regarding work are vastly different today than they were just a couple years ago. Ultimately, people want work schedules that cater to their personal preferences and family obligations. In fact, employment professionals listed “flexible work schedules,” as the most important non-health benefit for employees.

Your staff may want to work close to home, or work while the kids are in school. Allow them to work where and when they want.

When your employees are in control of their schedule, they are less likely to get burned out. Job performance, compassion for patients, and passion for nursing soar. In return, your facility has less turnover, lower hiring costs, and an overall happier staff.

Patient Outcomes

The key to owning a successful facility is producing a high number of positive patient outcomes. When people choose your facility, they want to know that they’re choosing a place that will work tirelessly to better their health.

With your staff motivated and energized from their flexible work schedule, their accuracy in caretaking will skyrocket. Nurses and nurse aides will have the time to ensure they are giving each patient the right health regimen.

Patient Satisfaction

Patient outcomes and patient satisfaction go hand-in-hand. Motivated staff take more time to build relationships with patients. Socializing with patients is not required for nurses. However, a simple conversation can improve a patient’s day. Patients feel much more satisfied when they feel like they are getting immense care and attention.

Your Ranking

Happy patients and happy staff will act as advocates for your facility. Ask them to refer your facility to people that they know in need of medical care. Request that they write online reviews of your facility and like your social media pages.

The community will notice your efforts to provide the best experience to your staff and to your patients. This reflects in how people talk about your facility. Set your facility as the example for others, and apart from the hundreds of other facilities in your area.

5 Superfoods to Power You Through Your Next Shift

A healthy diet is important to staying alert, energized, and focused. However, when you work crazy hours, it’s easy to skimp on meals, order takeout, or go through the drive-thru on the way home. Usually, these options do not provide the nutrients that prolong and sustain energy. You need superfoods that will keep you working hard all shift long.

5 Superfoods to Power You Through Your Next Shift
5 Superfoods to Power You Through Your Next Shift

If you don’t know what superfoods are, they are extremely efficient in providing health benefits to the consumer. This is because they are nutritiously dense. Many vitamins and nutrients are packed into every bite. Superfoods can make you feel ready to tackle your busy schedule, and prevent burnout. Here are a few quick and easy ways to incorporate superfoods into your diet:

Almonds

Almonds are a great source of calcium and protein, and these nuts are an easy snack to throw in your bag quickly before work. You can even pack them the night before to save you time in the morning (They call that meal prep, right?). These small nuts have enough health benefits to give you a little pick me up when you’re in the middle of a crazy shift.

Snack packs of almonds already come in a convenient serving size package for an easy on the go snack!

Blueberries

Blueberries are great during flu and cold season because they are filled with antioxidants. With their intense flavor and tangible health benefits, blueberries will easily become one of your favorites. Try adding them on top of a spinach salad for a vitamin-packed lunch.

Salmon

This protein is fantastic for boosting heart and brain health. In addition, salmon can be prepped and cooked quickly, making for a quick, and healthy dinner. Even better, try packing the leftovers for lunch the next day! This recipe is perfect for a hassle-free weeknight meal.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes taste delicious, have great health benefits, and can be cooked in five minutes! Just pop them in the microwave for a quick and tasty side dish that any busy nurse will love. You can also slice them thin, toss them in some olive oil, and bake them. Just sprinkle the slices with salt and pepper after they come out of the oven and you have a healthy potato chip alternative. Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be incorporated into any meal!

Avocados

This versatile little fruit is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to keep your cholesterol levels healthy, thus improving overall heart health. Add slices of avocado onto your next sandwich or mash them up and make guacamole. Avocado is a great superfood to incorporate into your meals because it curbs your hunger and provides sustained energy throughout your day!

Making homemade meals or preparing snacks may seem impossible, but by just taking a few extra minutes for self-care, it can huge health payoff.  You are not only improving your health, but also saving money. See you later fast food; hello superfoods!