Healthcare workers are the backbone of hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities. Unlike traditional office employees who sit at a desk and do the majority of their work on a computer, healthcare workers are often on their feet for hours providing hands-on patient care, managing complex workflows and ensuring critical operations run smoothly.
This group includes frontline caregivers (nurses, physicians, therapists) as well as vital support staff (environmental services, food service, maintenance and administrative teams). These employees often work irregular shifts, may have limited access to computers or mobile devices during work hours and, as a result, may feel disconnected from traditional engagement and recognition programs.
Healthcare workers – especially nurses – often struggle to feel like part of their organization’s broader goals and culture. A PRC Custom Research nursing survey, for instance, found that 41% of nurses feel disengaged, signaling a troubling disconnect between them and their profession.
This disengagement has far-reaching consequences. Research shows that low nurse engagement directly impacts patient care, as engaged nurses are more likely to deliver high-quality care while disengaged nurses may experience burnout, which fuels the ongoing nursing staffing crisis. Additionally, hospitals are experiencing a staggering 100.5% turnover rate over five years (NSI) – a revolving door of hiring and training that places added strain on patient care teams. The financial toll is just as alarming: replacing a single mid-level nurse can cost up to 150% of their annual salary (TLNT).
The solution? A culture of recognition. Research from Deloitte shows that employee recognition boosts engagement, productivity and performance by 14% – making it one of the most effective tools for building an engaged, resilient and happy workforce.
