Healthcare workers are the backbone of any country, keeping the population healthy by providing critical services to millions and upholding the healthcare systems. Without hospitals and qualified staff in all of them, society would crumble as we know it. The role healthcare workers played during the pandemic clearly proves how vital they are.
The world has a newfound appreciation for healthcare professionals, and if it’s a calling for you, you should know that working in a hospital can also lead to a lucrative career. Wanting to join the workforce and getting hospital jobs are two different things. The demand for healthcare workers is high, but finding employment isn’t as easy as applying for open positions. For hospitals, posting about openings isn’t going to land them the perfect resource to fill them.
Understanding the current state of hospital jobs in the country is essential for job seekers and employers. There are plenty of challenges ahead, and understanding certain trends will help everyone better identify the right opportunities.
A Look at the Healthcare Workforce
The Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a pretty clear picture of what things are like in the healthcare industry. The sector accounted for 9.3% of total employment in the country, with over 14.7 million individuals working across various healthcare-related jobs. Among these, the most were 3.4 million registered nurses, who account for around a fifth of the entire healthcare workforce.
Nurses aren’t the only professionals, just the most common. Besides doctors and nurses, hospitals need physician assistants, medical technicians, and several other specialized roles to keep the healthcare system running smoothly.
The need for skilled professionals is rising with the growing demand for healthcare services. Hospitals are the industry’s biggest employers, and the jobs there are the most critical areas for healthcare employment.
The Nursing Shortage and Its Impact on Hospital Jobs in the US
People struggling to find good jobs as nurses in the US might find this surprising, but the country is experiencing a significant staffing shortage of nurses. The nursing shortage is actually one of the biggest challenges facing hospitals today, particularly getting worse over the last few years. McKinsey’s Nursing Shortage in 2023 report estimates a potential shortage of 200,000 to 450,000 nurses in the country, and it only seems like it will get worse.
Several factors are contributing to the staffing shortage, especially burnout. Many nurses have left their professions entirely, and about 45% of inpatient nurses reported that they will likely leave their roles in the next few months. Long hours, stressful work conditions, and the particular emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed many of them to look for less demanding careers.
More nurses leaving their roles means fewer nurses are available at hospitals, leading to more pressure on the remaining nurses. The fact that there’s a shortage of nursing faculty at educational institutes is only making it worse. Oracle’s The Shortage of US Healthcare Workers report found that over 91,000 qualified applicants for nursing education were turned away in 2021 due to faculty shortages and limited clinical placement opportunities.
Where hospitals are the backbone of the healthcare system, nurses are the beating heart. The nursing shortage has far-reaching implications. Without enough nurses, hospitals will fail to maintain safe staffing levels. Hospitals are turning to creative solutions to attract new talent and retain experienced staff, like offering flexible schedules and tuition reimbursement.
The Aging Population and Growing Demand for Healthcare Services
The average age of people in the US is increasing because the baby boomer generation is growing older. By 2023, everyone from that generation will be older than 65, driving the need for healthcare services for chronic and age-related conditions higher. The median age of the US population reached 38.8 years in 2021, suggesting that there’s an older overall demographic that needs more frequent and complex care.
Hospitals will face the brunt of the impact due to the shifting demographics. Older patients typically require longer hospital stays, increased post-acute care, and specialized treatments for various chronic conditions. As a result, hospitals face a dual challenge today: providing care for an aging population while simultaneously managing an aging workforce, many of whom are nearing retirement.
Burnouts and High Turnover Rates in Hospitals
The high burnout rate is a significant problem in the healthcare workforce and is the single biggest reason for high hospital turnover rates. Oracle found that over 40% of inpatient nurses are considering leaving their jobs due to stress, excessive workloads, and lack of support. This turnover rate is expensive for hospitals. A report found that the average hospital in the US loses up to $9 million a year due to nurse turnovers.
Nurses aren’t the only professionals facing burnout. Physicians, medical technicians, and administrative staff all experience similar stress levels. The pandemic only made matters worse by forcing a lot of the staff to work extended hours under intense conditions.
Hospitals now offer more mental health resources and support programs to reduce burnout and improve staff retention.
Telehealth and Technological Advances
Incorporating new technology has long been crucial to improving the healthcare industry. As devastating as the pandemic was, it led to widespread adoption of telehealth. Telehealth lets healthcare providers offer remote consultations and monitor their patients outside traditional hospital settings.
Telehealth provides a lot of relief for professionals in the healthcare industry who want to balance patient care with personal and professional responsibilities. With more remote work opportunities available, hospitals can attract workers who might otherwise prefer to leave the industry due to demanding schedules. Telehealth also makes healthcare more accessible, extending care to remote and rural areas without requiring staff to be physically present.
Opportunities for Job Seekers
The challenges for hospitals aside, there’s no doubt that the demand for healthcare workers is creating a ton of opportunities for people seeking careers in the industry. Registered nurses, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians are all in high demand. Hospitals are constantly recruiting candidates for these and other specialized roles.
Perhaps the biggest challenge job seekers and employers face is finding the right fit to align with both their requirements. Fortunately, platforms like MedFire Jobs offer the perfect solution for this problem.
MedFire Jobs can find targeted opportunities in hospitals for people seeking jobs. Candidates can also access continuing education courses, white papers, and other industry-related content to enjoy more success in their fields.
Visit MedFire Jobs today and discover how you can realize your dream of fulfilling your calling to the healthcare industry!
