100% of Clinical Staff Said Yes to This One Offer: What That Means for Recruitment and Retention in 2025

100% of clinicians said yes. Not to kombucha on tap. Not to ping pong.

To student loan repayment.

At Clasp, we work with healthcare employers nationwide—and the signal is loud and clear: early-career talent isn’t interested in gimmicks. They want something real. Something that shows commitment. And in 2025, that means support with student debt.

That message is showing up beyond healthcare, too. A recent Fortune article reports that Gen Z is done chasing kombucha on tap and ping pong tables. What they really want? Student loan repayment support—something they increasingly view as essential in their next job.

To dig deeper, we surveyed 65 clinical professionals at a multi-state home health provider. The results? A wake-up call for anyone still relying on sign-on bonuses and swag bags.

What we heard

• 100% said they were interested in an employer-sponsored student loan repayment offer
  • with 82% stating they were very interested
• 98% said that offer would make them more likely to stay long-term

Their top motivators?

• 82%: Help covering the cost of a degree or license
• 65%: Potential for a higher-paying role
• 46%: A path to leadership or specialization
• Plus: Credit building, tax advantages and peace of mind.

Why it matters

This isn’t just about money—it’s about commitment. Student loan repayment is more than a financial perk. It’s a powerful retention lever and a recruitment tool that reaches talent before they even graduate.

For employers, it’s also:

• More effective than sign-on bonuses
• More sustainable than contract labor
• A foundation for long-term workforce stability

What’s Next

Health systems that move fast are winning early-career talent, reducing churn, and building the future of their workforce. At Clasp, we’re helping them launch student loan repayment programs that actually move the needle.

Want to see how this could work at your organization? Let's connect.