Career Development: The Overlooked Pharmacy Retention Strategy
An Effective Tool
Offering career advancement opportunities is one of the most effective ways to engage pharmacy teams and reduce turnover. As pharmacies face mounting pressure from labor shortages, high workloads, and changing patient care roles, investing in professional development has become not just beneficial, but essential.
Career Growth
Career growth is particularly important to the next generation of pharmacists. A striking 76% of millennials, who now represent a growing portion of the pharmacy workforce, consider professional development one of the most important elements of a company’s culture. Furthermore, 59% say development opportunities are extremely important when deciding whether to apply for a position. These figures highlight a clear trend: pharmacy professionals are looking for more than just a job. They want a place where they can build a career.
Making Your Pharmacy a Destination
When employers make advancement a priority, they do more than improve staff retention. They position themselves as a destination for ambitious, high-performing talent. Professionals are more likely to stay with organizations that demonstrate an investment in their long-term growth, reducing costly turnover and preserving institutional knowledge.
Pathways for Advancement
To implement this approach effectively, pharmacies should consider creating structured pathways for advancement. This might include mentorship programs that pair newer employees with established pharmacists or managers, providing both support and insight into potential career paths. Establishing clear routes from entry-level roles to leadership positions ensures that team members see a future within the organization and feel encouraged to stay and grow.
Taking Diverse Interests into Account
It’s also important to offer training opportunities that reflect the diverse interests of a pharmacy team. While some staff may aspire to become lead pharmacists or managers, others may have a passion for different healthcare fields, such as nursing or public health. Offering cross-training or educational support for these interests can encourage loyalty, even if the person eventually moves to a different healthcare role. By showing support for their ambitions, you reinforce a culture of respect, empowerment, and development.
Investing in career advancement is a win-win for pharmacies and their teams. Employees feel valued and engaged, while employers benefit from a more stable, skilled, and motivated workforce. In a time when talent is harder to find and easier to lose, showing a clear commitment to your staff’s growth can set your pharmacy apart.
For more information about the ways in which career advancement can help with retention, check out our whitepaper on new staffing strategies here.
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