Early in 2015, the continuing care center at UR Medicine/Thompson Health had a projected annual turnover of approximately 60 percent. In a climate where their industry turnover and employee dissatisfaction were at critically high levels something had to be done. A “full court press” was applied to turn around the downward spiral with the ultimate goal of a better work/life balance by the elimination of mandatory overtime for aides. After a series of focus groups and a review of employee engagement results, a strategy was established that encompassed inventive hiring techniques, training/onboarding initiatives, and innovative retention techniques that really made a difference by helping improve employee engagement and reduce turnover. This session will provide participants with innovative strategies and tools that helped Thompson Health hire, train and retain their team. Learn from their successes and failures (fail is not a bad four letter word).