Six Strategies to Welcome New Healthcare Employees

How do you welcome your new healthcare employees? In today’s tight labor market, getting employees to stick around longer starts with the hiring process and continues through their first days on the job. Here are six simple strategies to warmly welcome your new hires.

Develop a robust orientation program.
Beyond merely filling out HR paperwork, introduce new hires to your company culture. Include them in social activities like holiday potlucks and office parties – even before their first day. Ensure admin tasks are ready before the new hire arrives for orientation. Set up the new employee’s work email, have his name badge or access card ready, and any necessary equipment (laptop, etc.) in good working order.

Design creative welcome packets.
When onboarding new hires, welcome them with company swag to create a sense of team spirit. Select gifts that are significant to various team members. For instance, in their first week, you could send out a short survey asking the new hires about their favorite drinks or snacks. Within the next week or so, surprise them with one of these items at the beginning of their shift. Or, drop off a hand-written note of encouragement. These little touches will build invaluable connections between new and current employees.

Pair each new hire with a friendly face.
Team up your new hire with an experienced peer to guide them through the first few weeks of a new job. This strategy can be as informal as recruiting volunteers to pair with new workers. Or it can be as formal as creating a mentorship program that matches newbies with seasoned nurses. Incorporate icebreakers into your meetings for the first few weeks after a new hire so everyone can get acquainted.  You just never know who else on the team might likes the Grateful Dead!

Communicate regularly.
Remember to communicate regularly with both new and existing employees. Introduce new employees to the organization through email newsletters or team meetings. Communicate clear expectations, organization news, scheduling updates, and personnel changes. And make sure your open-door policy encourages two-way communication. 

Institute a “rookie cookie” program.
Provide new hires with a gift card or stipend to bring cookies, donuts, bagels, or other office treats. Then, the new hire distributes the goodies from his desk or workstation so staff members can come by for a snack. This interactive technique encourages conversation to help build rapport and trust.

Send new employees on a scavenger hunt.
This idea works best in a large, sprawling facility. Have current employees create a list of important places that new hires will need to locate - like the supply room, or even different fire exits. Then design a scavenger hunt the new worker must complete within a few days of starting the job. Amplify the fun by hiding small prizes at each stop or by ending the search in the break room with a team-wide brunch.

You are excited about your new hire so let them see it. Develop a program that creates a warm welcome for new hires.  Your efforts will result in new team members sticking around and becoming seasoned employees.