Reducing Veterinary Staff Turnover: 7 Strategies for a Thriving Practice

High turnover is a significant challenge that leads to disruptions across many aspects of veterinary practice. According to an early 2024 AAHA study, the average annual turnover rate in veterinary practices is 23%, meaning almost one in four team members leaves their jobs yearly.

Veterinary staff turnover is a multifaceted issue, and the solution requires a careful look at each practice’s individual combination of factors. Hospitals must provide a supportive environment and understand what’s most important for attracting and retaining workers. Here is our list of top ways to reduce turnover in your practice.

1. Create a positive workplace culture

A healthy workplace culture is critical to employee satisfaction and reducing veterinary staff turnover. Full-time employees spend 40 hours or more in the workplace and won’t stay in an environment that feels negative, psychologically unsafe, or unsupportive. However, building a positive culture takes time and ongoing effort. Regular team-building activities and voluntary social events can strengthen relationships and build cohesion.

2. Offer a fair wage and benefits package

Employees can’t afford to stay in jobs that don’t pay a living wage, regardless of the working environment. The AAHA study noted fair pay was a top employee retention driver and a common reason why people leave their positions. Aligning salaries with industry standards and inflation ensures that employees are rewarded fairly for their contributions. Additionally, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off can significantly improve team members’ quality of life and entice them to stay in their positions.

3. Focus on professional development

Employees who feel stuck and cannot see a clear path to advancement or growth will likely look elsewhere. Investing in professional development and allowing team members to pursue their interests and learn new skills provides greater job fulfillment and the opportunity to earn more. Continuing education, certifications, training, and mentorship programs that help employees navigate their career paths also allow clinics to offer more advanced or varied services.

4. Encourage a healthy work-life balance

Flexible scheduling, ample vacation time, daily lunch breaks, and a reasonable workload help veterinary staff manage personal and professional responsibilities. However, a “healthy” work-life balance looks different from one person to the next, so leaders should work closely with each team member to understand their individual needs rather than implementing blanket policies.

5. Implement structured onboarding

Many veterinary hospitals lack a clearly defined onboarding and training protocol, leaving new hires feeling thrown to the wolves, with no support. New team members must not be pushed too far from their comfort zones to reduce overall veterinary staff turnover. A comprehensive onboarding process with clear job descriptions and thorough training can build competence and confidence. 

6. Address conflicts carefully and promptly

Unresolved conflicts can quickly lead to a toxic work environment, followed by veterinary staff turnover, as employees look for greener pastures. Encourage team members to communicate openly when conflict arises and ensure they have the tools to resolve routine issues. If and when leadership must step in to mediate a conflict and maintain workplace harmony, ensure all team members are fairly treated.

7. Recognize team members’ contributions

Recognition scores high on employees’ lists of wants and needs that will keep them in their job and reduce veterinary staff turnover. Simple verbal acknowledgments, thank-you notes, or formal recognition programs can brighten a team member’s day and ensure they feel valued for their contributions and dedication to the job.

Veterinary hospitals struggling with ongoing or worsening turnover must identify and address the reasons why team members leave. Exit interviews can provide valuable insights and are the first step to creating a more positive and inviting workplace environment. Intentional retention strategies can help veterinary clinics reduce costly staff turnover and build a thriving, close-knit team that provides better patient care and hospital performance.