Offering incorporates real-life examples of successful retention initiatives

Retaining quality health care workers is especially important in today's economy and to build tomorrow's work force. To help meet that need, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Work Force Development staff, with input from MHA members, recently completed its first edition of a retention toolkit designed to help hospitals retain employees of all ages for the long term.

The toolkit is available to members electronically or in hard copy; access it here: [PDF].

While retention efforts are local, the toolkit offers a variety of resources and ideas that hospitals can apply. This first edition contains information in the following five content areas:

• career growth and development;
• culture and values;
• human resources;
• new employee orientation and integration; and
• workplace design.

Included in each content area are real-life examples from hospitals that were willing to share their stories. Contact information for professionals at those hospitals is provided for those interested in obtaining specific details.

Additional retention resources, such as links to articles, Web sites and book references, are also included. A self-assessment worksheet designed to help hospitals identify opportunities for improvement is also part of the resource's offerings.

"MHA envisions the retention toolkit to be a living document -- evolving and improving over time to meet members' retention needs," said Susan Klug, MHA workforce project coordinator. "We welcome comments, ideas, stories and suggestions for making it a vibrant resource for all Minnesota hospitals."

For additional information, contact Susan Klug, MHA workforce project coordinator, at (651) 659-1424.