WORKFORCE

Recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals is a priority for Tennessee hospitals and the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA). The pandemic resulted in an unprecedented staffing crisis projected to last well into the next decade. THA, Tennessee hospitals, and other stakeholders throughout the state know we must do more than “bridge” the workforce gap – we are working together to Mend the Gap. Learn more about the workforce shortage and all Mend the Gap initiatives.

A substantial part of THA’s efforts to strengthen Tennessee’s health workforce is executed by its subsidiary the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development (TCWD). TCWD guides health workforce initiatives to improve the health of all Tennesseans.

THA has also launched a webinar series that showcases best practices in workforce recruitment and development from among our member facilities and outside partners.

3 Key Professions with Projected Shortfalls through 2035

THA Initiatives to Support Healthcare Workforce Recruitment and Retention

Nurse Residency Program

The Nurse Residency Program is a collaboration with the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program, which is offered free of charge to critical access hospitals in Tennessee. This program provides hospitals with a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining new graduate nurses.

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Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program

The THA Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program supports nurse preceptors in the state of Tennessee by providing financial incentives and professional development opportunities to nurse preceptors.

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It Happens in a Hospital Campaign

This campaign is targeted to Tennessee middle school, high school, and college/tech school students to raise awareness about the variety of careers available at hospitals and the benefits of pursuing a hospital/healthcare career. The It Happens in a Hospital website also provides informational and financial resources for students interested in healthcare careers.

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Health Sciences Achievement Award

The Health Sciences Achievement Award is given to Tennessee high school seniors who are pursuing a degree in a healthcare field after graduation. Awards are $2,000 and come with no requirements as to how the money must be spent.

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THA Initiatives to Support Underserved Areas

Residency Incentive Program

The Residency Incentive Program offers $105,000 to primary care residents in a 3-year residency and $140,000 to those in a 4-year residency program in exchange for an equal length commitment to serve in a rural area or with an underserved population in Tennessee.

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Practice Site Incentive Program

The Practice Site Recruitment and Retention Incentive is a $50,000 grant available to assist practices in rural or medically underserved areas in Tennessee. The incentive can be used to help recruit primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or dentists.

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Healthy Smiles Student Loan Repayment Program

The Healthy Smiles Student Loan Repayment Program provides educational loan repayment to qualified dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants in exchange for a service obligation to practice full-time at dental clinics located in medically underserved areas. 

  • Dentists receive up to $300,000 for a 3-year service obligation
  • Hygienists receive up to $50,000 for a 2-year service obligation
  • Dental assistants receive up to $20,000 for a 2-year service obligation

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Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Student Incentive

This incentive offers $20,000 per year for two years to psychiatric nurse practitioner students in a Master’s or Doctoral program. In return, students will serve two years in a practice site in a rural or medically underserved area following graduation.

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In 2022 THA conducted a long-term health workforce supply and demand study that provides an assessment of the current and future demand, supply and supply adequacy of key healthcare occupations, as well as analysis of reasons for workforce shortages and programs that might help alleviate them. The study:

  • Supports advocacy efforts related to training health professionals or other initiatives to improve overall supply adequacy
  • Informs strategies of hospitals and other stakeholders to improve recruiting and retention
  • Supports efforts to improve care delivery and overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in Tennessee