The nursing shortage is more than a challenge—it’s a crisis. Not only are there too few nurses to care for an aging population, but higher acuity patients of all ages continue to need more medical services at home. Demand for home health care is projected to surge 22 percent by 2034, with rapid growth in the next few years, and proposed Medicaid cuts will only make challenges with staffing and access to care continue to worsen.
In an industry built on human connection, we simply do not have enough humans to care for those who want and deserve to remain safely cared for in their homes.
Nurses have many options for employment, making nurse retention a key priority. In 2024, RN turnover remained high across the profession: 16 percent in hospitals, 44 percent in skilled nursing facilities, and 27 percent in home care.
We are committed to making BAYADA a place where nurses want to stay, grow, and thrive. We’ve found that genuine recognition and caring support can be pivotal for nurse satisfaction and loyalty. Here’s how:
1. Team Spirit: Connecting with Purpose and Each Other
Nurses are people first. They thrive when they feel connected to a mission they believe in, supported by a team they trust, and empowered in decisions that affect their lives and work. This is especially critical for home health care, where nurses serve one patient at a time—but should never feel isolated.
BAYADA focuses on creating a culture of connection from the start. Nurses collaborate via secure platforms, and leaders build relationships through personal touchpoints—from local service and clinical managers to the executive level. As practice president, I personally email every new hire and every graduating nurse resident—and I read and respond to every reply. It’s a small act that reinforces how deeply we value their talent and work.
2. Recognition: Feeling Seen, Heard, and Appreciated
The BAYADA Hero® Program—a signature of our 50-year history—honors clinicians who embody our core values: compassion, excellence, and reliability. Heroes are celebrated locally and nationally, along with many other awards that highlight both individual and team excellence.
But meaningful recognition also happens in everyday moments:
- Local leaders thank nurses for small wins that have big impact—with shoutouts, handwritten notes, and “BAYADA Bucks.”
- Our BAYADA Celebrates platform lets employees give and receive praise, exchange Bucks for gifts, and access wellness resources.
- Nurse experience surveys inform biannual action plans, which we transparently develop and share with our clinicians.
The results speak volumes: in a 2025 survey, BAYADA Nurses ranked their recognition experience above the 99th percentile industry benchmark.
3. Support: Investing in Well-Being and Career Growth
We believe in taking care of the people who take care of others. That means addressing the emotional toll of nursing and offering resources that promote mental health, clinical confidence, and career mobility.
We encourage our nurses to choose patient populations, schedules, and career paths aligned with their goals. They can access countless learning opportunities in 100 simulation labs nationwide.
Each year, the BAYADA Nurse Residency Program prepares 500 new nurses through classroom education, personal coaching, and hands-on training at their comfort level. It boasts 98–99 percent satisfaction and retention—and those who complete it stay with us nearly 13 percent longer and work significantly more hours than their peers.
We also offer scholarships and coaching to support our home health aides in their pursuit of attending nursing school programs. Early results show that these homegrown nurses stay at twice the rate of those hired externally.
What We’re Seeing
These efforts are making a difference:
- BAYADA’s clinical workforce grew 5 percent in 2024.
- New hires increased by 10 percent year-over-year.
- Turnover continues to trend downward.
- Nearly 86 percent of BAYADA caregivers say they intend to stay through the next 12 months.
- Survey responses from BAYADA Nurses place us in the 90–99th percentile for engagement, enablement, communication, and culture.
- In our 50th year, we honored approximately 235 nurses who’ve stayed with BAYADA for over 25 years—some nearly 45.
A Better Way Forward
What keeps nurses isn’t just pay or perks—it’s feeling seen, valued, and supported when it matters most. Taking the time to say, “You make a difference” and backing it up with real action changes everything.
That kind of recognition isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. It powers retention, drives better care, and reminds nurses why they chose this work in the first place. The workforce crisis is real—but so is the opportunity. If we stay intentional, lead with gratitude, and keep showing up for our nurses like they show up for their patients, we can build something stronger together.
Cris Toscano, MHA
Cris Toscano, MHA began volunteering at hospitals at age 12 and began her career at BAYADA in 1994. She believes wholeheartedly that investments in people and relationships yield results, including improved patient satisfaction. Toscano led the redesign of the BAYADA Skilled Nursing Unit and is a leading force behind its growth and post-acute care and workforce innovations such as BAYADA HICU® and BAYADA Nurse Residency Program.
