PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A RETENTION TOOL

To recognize that pharmacy workforce development is an essential component of staff recruitment, retention, and well-being; further, 

To recognize that pharmacy workforce development encompasses more than formal education programs and includes informal learning among colleagues, mentoring, participation in activities of professional organizations, and other types of learning; further, 

To encourage healthcare executives to support pharmacy workforce development programs, including leadership succession planning, as an important benefit that aids in recruiting and retaining qualified staff; further, 

To support healthcare executives with pharmacy workforce development by providing educational programs, services, and resources.  

To encourage organizations to assess the effectiveness of professional development initiatives by evaluating their impact on recruitment and retention outcomes. 

Rationale

Workforce development can take many forms, including formal education, informal mentoring, participation in certification programs, career ladder implementation, and expansion of experiences. The need for job growth and career advancement is an important motivator for job satisfaction among those entering the workforce, such as pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, and residents. Evidence suggests that staff development programs are associated with increased pharmacist retention. There is also a growing need to provide education on topics, such as clinical management, which are not taught in education and training programs and nurture the workforce to provide continuous succession planning. Moreover, by evaluating the impact of professional development initiatives on these critical workforce metrics, healthcare organizations can better understand how such programs contribute to employee satisfaction, growth, and long-term career advancement. This data driven approach helps ensure that professional development efforts are not only enhancing skills but are also addressing workforce stability, which is essential for maintaining high-quality patient care in an ever-evolving healthcare environment.