A less frequently publicized benefit of healing gardens in healthcare facilities is a lower staff turnover rate. Healing gardens are being used to draw and to keep good employees.
Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO is advertising for jobs on Cross Country Travel Corps, http://www.crosscountrytravcorps.com/cctc/jobs/facility_showcases/exempla.jsp, and just look at how many of their points emphasize outdoor space at their facility:
Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital is a 477,000-foot facility situated on 77 acres. This 172-bed hospital (with potential to expand to 350 beds as the community grows) features:
- Spacious private patient rooms
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Mountain and garden views
- Walking trails
- Incorporation of natural landscaping to capture the essence of Colorado
- A central healing garden
- Soothing water features and colorful flowers
- Room Service
- Integrative Care (aromatheraphy, acupuncture, massage therapy)