In healthcare staffing, recruitment often grabs the spotlight — finding qualified providers, ensuring credentialing, and filling urgent gaps. But as we move into 2025, one reality is clear: recruitment alone isn’t enough. To build high-quality, sustainable care teams, healthcare organizations must focus just as much on keeping the great people they’ve already found.
The True Cost of Turnover
Turnover is more than just an empty schedule. When a provider leaves, continuity of care suffers, patients lose trusted relationships, and operational costs rise as recruiting, onboarding, and credentialing replacements take time and resources. Morale declines and remaining team members absorb extra work — leading to burnout.
Replacing a single nurse can cost over $50,000, and turnover among rural healthcare providers continues to climb. For facilities already managing limited resources, retention isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s critical to stability and quality of care.
Retention Starts from Day One
Retention begins the moment a provider accepts an assignment. A smooth onboarding experience sets the tone. When healthcare professionals feel valued, prepared, and connected, they’re far more likely to stay engaged long term.
How Millbrook Supports Retention
Comprehensive Staffing Solutions: We supply physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and advanced practice providers nationwide for travel, contract, and per diem assignments.
Credentialing and Compliance: Our team manages licensing, onboarding, and compliance — reducing administrative burdens and ensuring providers can deliver care immediately.
Ongoing Provider Support: Regular check-ins, flexible scheduling, and career resources keep providers supported throughout their assignments.
Custom Workforce Solutions: From short-term coverage to extended assignments, we tailor staffing models to meet each facility’s unique needs.
Proven Retention Strategies
Consistent communication: Regular updates build trust and transparency.
Recognition and appreciation: Celebrating provider contributions boosts morale and loyalty.
Professional development: Continuing education and upskilling opportunities show investment in providers’ futures.
Flexibility: Supporting work-life balance helps prevent burnout.
Culture Drives Retention
Retention isn’t only about policies — it’s about culture. Providers are more likely to stay when they feel seen, heard, and connected to the mission. This is especially true in tribal and rural health settings, where clinicians often relocate far from home to serve underserved communities.
Millbrook partners with clients to foster that connection through mentorship programs, cultural orientation, and ongoing engagement and support. When providers feel connected to their team and community, they’re far more likely to stay, even when challenges arise.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The healthcare organizations that succeed in 2025 will treat retention and recruitment as two sides of the same coin. Recruiting top talent is essential — but keeping it is what builds lasting impact.
Millbrook proudly supports both sides: connecting exceptional providers with meaningful travel, contract, and per diem opportunities, delivering full-service staffing solutions, and nurturing the relationships that keep teams thriving.
Ready to Strengthen Your Workforce?
Contact our team to discover how Millbrook’s staffing and retention strategies can support your organization in 2025 and beyond.
About the Author
James L. Paterek is the Chief Executive Officer of Millbrook Support Services, a nationwide healthcare staffing and workforce solutions company with offices throughout the U.S. Millbrook, a Joint Commission–certified and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), supplies physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals to government, education, corrections, and commercial clients across North America. Millbrook is also a GSA-Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 621 I contract holder for Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services, with coverage across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
