Improving VA Hiring Efficiency to Meet Critical Workforce Demands

Posted on 04.03.25

Introduction

Targeted hiring strategies improve staffing efficiency across the VA health system

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to face one of the largest health care hiring challenges in the nation, working to fill approximately 50,000 positions annually. From rural clinics to urban hospitals, VHA must compete with private-sector employers while also navigating a wave of workforce retirements. Arrow partners with VA to streamline recruitment operations, reduce vacancy timelines and attract mission-ready professionals committed to delivering quality care to Veterans.

Challenge

Addressing urgent hiring needs in a competitive health care labor market

VHA operates over 1,300 health care facilities, serving nearly nine million Veterans annually. Despite offering meaningful careers and strong benefits, VHA often competes with private health systems that can offer higher salaries in some markets. Specialized roles — particularly in nursing, mental health and primary care — are especially hard to fill.

To meet these demands, VHA requires an efficient recruitment operation that reaches high-intent candidates, reduces time-to-hire and prioritizes roles with the greatest impact on Veteran health care delivery.

The Arrow difference

Deep experience in mission-driven recruitment strategy
Data-informed approach to hiring process efficiency
Performance-focused digital recruitment execution

Results at a glance

53,000+ hires from more than 2.6 million applicants in one year
Digital cost-per-click 85% below industry average
Multiple national awards for recruitment campaign effectiveness

Solutions

Designing and executing a high-efficiency recruitment strategy

Arrow leads a performance-based hiring initiative for VHA that focuses on mission alignment, digital optimization and vacancy reduction. Our approach helps VHA fill essential roles faster and more cost-effectively, ensuring readiness across the health system.

Key elements include:

Creating a data-informed workforce recruitment optimization plan tailored to VA’s highest-priority clinical and support roles
Running targeted digital campaigns across paid search, social and programmatic channels to engage candidates with the right skills and intent
Streamlining application pathways and reducing drop-off, resulting in improved applicant conversion rates and faster movement through the hiring pipeline
Refining operational messaging to position VHA as a career destination grounded in purpose, public service and long-term career opportunity

By concentrating recruitment efforts on high-impact positions, Arrow ensures taxpayer resources are aligned with the most critical staffing needs in the VHA system.

Results

Accelerating hiring outcomes while improving operational efficiency

The initiative drives measurable improvements in workforce recruitment for VHA. Key outcomes include:

More than 2.6 million applications processed in a single fiscal year, resulting in over 53,000 hires across the health system
Paid search efforts generating 1.5 million website visits at a cost-per-click significantly below federal and industry benchmarks
Elevated visibility for VA Careers in a competitive market, attracting qualified applicants for both high-volume and hard-to-fill positions
Industry recognition with nine national awards for performance-driven recruitment media and execution

Why this matters

This initiative supports VHA’s broader goal of maintaining a mission-ready workforce by reducing hiring bottlenecks and improving recruitment efficiency. Arrow helps ensure health care roles are filled quickly and strategically, without unnecessary resource expansion. The result: consistent, high-quality care delivery for Veterans and a streamlined hiring process that respects public budgets and delivers maximum impact.