As the year comes to a close, I like to slow down before jumping into the next set of goals. In healthcare staffing, it’s easy to stay in constant execution mode—covering shifts, solving last-minute issues, managing providers, clients, compliance, billing, and everything in between. But real growth comes from taking time to reflect.
Before planning for 2026, here’s how I’m honestly reviewing how this year went—what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change.
Looking Back: What Went Right
I ask myself:
- Which facilities, MSPs, and provider partnerships truly worked well?
- What recruiting strategies brought in reliable, quality clinicians?
- Where did our operations run smoothly with fewer escalations?
- What systems or processes saved time and reduced errors?
- Which decisions helped improve provider satisfaction and retention?
These wins show me what to double down on—because in staffing, consistency and trust are everything.
Looking Back: What Didn’t Go as Planned
Equally important, I reflect on:
- Shifts that were hard to fill or constantly backfilled
- Delays in timesheets, billing, or payments
- Communication gaps with providers, clients, or internal teams
- Processes that caused burnout—for me or the team
- Situations that came out of the blue and tested our systems
Every challenge highlights a gap—in systems, clarity, or expectations—and those gaps are opportunities to fix things before scaling further.
Year-End Wrap-Up: My Healthcare Staffing Checklist
Before closing the year, I focus on:
- Reviewing revenue, margins, and cash flow by client and specialty
- Auditing recruiting pipelines and provider databases
- Reviewing contracts, payment terms, and compliance items
- Evaluating client relationships—who to grow with, who to pause
- Tightening SOPs for onboarding, scheduling, timesheets, and billing
- Identifying what to stop doing that no longer serves the business
- Acknowledging wins—because this work is not easy
Setting the Foundation for 2026
Instead of overwhelming goals, I’m focusing on intention.
For 2026, I’m asking:
- What 3–5 priorities will move the business forward?
- Which systems need automation or simplification?
- Where do I need better structure, support, or delegation?
- How can we improve provider experience and client reliability?
- How do I protect my time so I’m working on the business—not just in it?
Strong healthcare staffing businesses aren’t built on hustle alone—they’re built on clear systems, strong relationships, and thoughtful planning. Reflection is not a pause — it’s a strategy. Taking time now helps me step into the new year with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Here’s to closing this year grateful for the lessons and stepping into 2026 stronger, wiser, and more intentional
“I’m curious—how do you reflect on your year in healthcare staffing? What worked, what didn’t, and what are you doing now to set yourself up for a stronger 2026?”