As the healthcare industry faces unprecedented turnover rates, Spear Physical & Occupational Therapy has emerged as a beacon of best practices in talent retention. Spear's Chief People Officer Stef Bloom has successfully transformed the employee experience into a core business strategy, driving recruitment and curbing turnover. This approach is particularly noteworthy in the healthcare sector, where long shifts, emotional labor, and scattered clinic locations can lead to staff fatigue and high turnover rates.
According to the 2026 NSI National Health Care Retention Report, national hospital turnover sits at 18.5%, with voluntary resignations accounting for nearly 95% of all departures. Spear's innovative approach recognizes that employee experience is not just an HR initiative, but a critical component of the organization's overall business strategy.
Bloom's strategy is built on the understanding that healthcare professionals are the brand and the service that patients experience. By prioritizing employee experience, Spear has created a competitive advantage in a tight labor market where competitors often rely on sign-on bonuses to attract talent. This approach has allowed Spear to scale its footprint across more than 80 locations while maintaining a strong reputation and attracting top talent.
HR executives and recruiters can learn from Spear's success by adopting a similar approach. By treating employee experience as a core business strategy, organizations can drive recruitment, reduce turnover, and improve overall business performance. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that employee experience is not just a HR function, but a critical component of the organization's overall strategy.
In conclusion, Spear's winning formula for talent retention is a testament to the power of strategic employee experience. By prioritizing employee experience and treating it as a core business strategy, organizations can drive recruitment, reduce turnover, and improve overall business performance. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, Spear's approach provides a valuable lesson for HR executives, recruiters, and professionals seeking to attract and retain top talent in a competitive labor market.