The AHA’s Rethinking the Hospital Workforce for a New Era of Care Knowledge Exchange, which SimpliFi proudly sponsored, dived into the strategies and approaches of healthcare systems across the nation.
This report is structured conversationally with several different healthcare leaders revealing how they are facing intensifying workforce challenges, such as burnout, rising patient demand, and generational expectations through creative, new tactics. What we saw from this dialogue was resourcefulness and a willingness to try novel approaches, many leading to successful outcomes.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the top workforce strategies from the report, along with real-world examples highlighted in the AHA Knowledge Exchange of how leading health systems are putting them into action. The report also outlines 8 key practices health leaders use to transform the workforce and build talent pipelines, many of which are reflected in the examples below.
Key Workforce Strategies from AHA Case Examples
1. Building a pipeline through apprenticeships
Corewell Health created the first pre-licensure RN apprenticeship in Michigan to help grow local talent and fill nursing gaps, especially in rural areas. The program is now expanding to include medical assistants, LPNs, and other essential roles.
2. Using technology to support the care team
CHI Memorial is adopting tools like virtual nursing and AI-assisted imaging to help staff manage workload and improve patient care. They’re also testing AI solutions to support case management and discharge planning.
3. Focusing on people, purpose, and growth
AdventHealth’s workforce strategy centers on being an employer of choice, supporting the whole person, and developing leaders from within. Their efforts include transparent pay, career pathways, and education partnerships guided by the principle “use less, lose less, hire more.”
4. Developing leaders and future talent
Baptist Health is growing its workforce at both ends of the career spectrum. They offer a selective Physician Leadership Academy where executives teach physicians to strengthen engagementand leadership skills, while partnerships with high school health academies create entry points for students pursuing healthcare careers.
5. Focusing on people, purpose, and growth
Jefferson Health is rethinking nursing and front-line roles to strengthen retention and workforce flexibility. They’ve created pipelines from high school to nursing, provide tuition-supported PCT roles, and train staff in new skills through initiatives like “Care Forward” to reduce reliance on external services and meet staffing needs dynamically.
6. Rewarding loyalty and flexibility to retain nurses
ECU Health launched commitment bonuses and auto-enrolled nurses into multi-year plans to recognize long-term dedication. To compete with traveler pay, they introduced flexible scheduling and an enterprise float pool, allowing nurses to work across hospitals while staying part of the core team.
7. Bringing nurses back into the workforce
Bingham Healthcare is focused on re-engaging nurses who left the field due to burnout or family needs. Through flexible scheduling, childcare support, and paid nurse refresher programs, they make it easier for experienced nurses to return and reenter practice confidently.
8. Turning staff feedback into real change
Corewell Health’s “Speak Up” campaign encourages employees to share safety and efficiency ideas. Acting on feedback —like removing manual double-checks that added workload without improving safety— has built trust, reduced burden, and strengthened engagement.
9. Building trust through transparency
AdventHealth is strengthening engagement by building a culture of openness and safety. When staff see their feedback lead to real changes, it reinforces trust, reduces frustration from unnecessary processes, and empowers teams to stay engaged and speak up.
8 Key Practices Health Leaders Use to Transform the Workforce and Build Talent Pipelines
- Cultivating future talent through apprenticeships, education partnerships, and career pathways
- Advancing academic excellence to strengthen clinical capability
- Fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, and empowerment
- Harnessing smart technology to transform care delivery
- Customizing workforce strategies for generational needs and flexibility
- Boosting retention and support
- Transforming staffing models with real-time data
- Amplifying brand to attract top talent
Be Bold with Your Workforce Strategy
These real-world examples show that innovation and courage are essential to transforming the healthcare workforce. SimpliFi partners with health systems to retain and grow their teams, with over a decade of 100% client retention.
Our solutions deliver results:
- CAP Preceptorship Program: 300+ FTEs converted, $180M saved
- Stogo Flexible Scheduling App: 50% faster shift fills, 200% increase in available staff
Get in touch or schedule a 15-minute chat to see how we can help your team improve workforce strategies.
