5 minutes
Hospitals and health systems are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining workers due to financial strain and operational difficulties. Workers cite feeling undervalued, lack of support for their well-being, and stagnant wages as reasons for leaving or considering quitting. However, healthcare employment has continued to rise in certain areas.
The most recent jobs report shows that healthcare added 58,400 jobs in October, with consistent monthly gains over the past year. Ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities have seen employment growth. The healthcare and social assistance sector added 77,200 jobs in the United States.
Despite overall job growth, there are persistent labor shortages in various areas of healthcare. Nursing care, specialty care, primary care, pharmacy, dentistry, and emergency medical services are projected to face shortages by 2031. Hospitals and health systems are actively addressing this issue through hiring efforts.
Top hospitals and health systems have reported open job positions and have experienced increases in total fills and external hires compared to previous years. However, labor shortages remain a challenge in critical positions such as imaging technologists and surgical techs.
To address labor pressures, healthcare organizations should implement robust staffing pools and utilize advanced predictive demand modeling to improve staffing plans. Retention strategies such as listening to clinicians' feedback and creating summits for front-line clinicians to contribute to staffing plans have proven successful.
By investing in innovative approaches, hospitals and health systems can overcome labor shortages and ensure they can provide quality care to their communities.
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