Healthcare provider burnout, insufficient pay and lack of opportunities is creating a mass exodus in healthcare. Of course, the pandemic exposed all the fine cracks in an already fragile system. Now people are packing their bags and leaving.
Employers no longer hold the power
If you drive down any street in the United States, you’re likely to see signs like “help wanted or we’re hiring” outside of many storefronts. It’s the new normal. Everyone is hiring.
The tipping point to the ‘big quit’ can be blamed on the American government refusing to provide workers CovId-19 protections. The bureau of labor statistics states that approximately 4 million people quit their jobs in April of 2021. The great resignation is not only happening in healthcare, but it’s also happening in all areas of employment like fast food restaurants and high-level corporations in the United States.
When there’s a high quit rate, workers have a higher level of confidence that they can get a better and higher paying job somewhere else. Bargaining power is in their favor. Workers all over the United States are reevaluating how they work, and how their working habits are influencing their lives. For example, once people started working from home during the worldwide pandemic lockdowns, it offered many workers a healthier work life balance.
Shortages in the healthcare workplace also effects employees
Healthcare is the second largest sector to be hit by the great resignation. Rising cost of childcare, low wage jobs lacking in career growth opportunities, increasing work responsibilities, and demanding work conditions due to COVID-19 swells are all valid reasons healthcare providers are leaving healthcare. Physicians and nurses are calling it quits. Many of them are retiring early and pursuing different work options that offer a better work life balance.
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses conducted a survey and found that two-thirds of nurses are considering leaving the nursing profession due to the pandemic.
Countless nurses are planning to resign within the next 6 months. Fatigue and PTSD are also contributing to their decision to leave.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that there will be a shortage of 1.1 million nurses created by over 500,000 experienced nurses who are on the brink of retirement. Shortages in healthcare not only effect patients but they also effect staff and staffing ratios. Many hospitals allow nurses to work short staffed which can be dangerous and lead to burnout.
It’s more than just work
People are reassessing how they work and how they live their daily lives. If people are not willing to resign, they are willing to renegotiate for higher pay, benefits and working conditions. After all, humans want to feel inspired in the workplace.
Steve Jobs said it best when he stated “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?”
The people have the power. People have a right to want to love their jobs. We are entitled to love going to work and contribute to society as well as make our daily lives better.
Hospitals and healthcare systems are trying to make it better
Hospitals and healthcare systems in the United States are stepping up their game to retain employees and keep them happy. Most are paying 24 billion dollars more per year to retain qualified clinical employees compared to before the pandemic. Perks to employment also include an increase in overtime pay of up to 52 percent and use of agency healthcare employees is up 132 %.
It takes more than just buying burned out healthcare workers pizza and donuts to make them happy. Organizations should focus on offering their employees avenues towards professional growth and career advancement. Greater flexibility may also be a factor encouraging healthcare staff to stay with the organization.
Locum tenens offering a future of endless possibilities for healthcare providers
Locum tenens means ‘place holder’ in Latin. A locum tenen’s healthcare provider is a person who temporarily fulfills the space of another. Many organizations like hospitals, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC), Dental clinics, and Urgent Care Centers employ locum tenen’s healthcare professionals.
More than 90% of the United States healthcare industry are employing locum tenens healthcare providers. Doctors, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Nurses and Physician assistants can all be employed by locum tenens agencies.
Working with Medcare Staffing under a 1099 private contractor status allows healthcare providers take a break between assignments and avoid burnout.
Medcare staffing offers a variety of locum tenen assignments ranging from telehealth, corrections, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, and hospitals. Healthcare providers have the option to take on a part time or full-time assignment. Locum tenens work is perfect if you’re thinking of retiring from your full time position but you’d like to still keep one foot in the game. Locum tenens can also be considered the ultimate “Work-Vacay’ experience. It’s literally paid tourism. You can work in amazing places that offer historical and local attractions that will add to your work life balance.
Click here to see Medcare Staffings most recent jobs. Employers click here to see how we can help you with your staffing needs. We look forward to assisting you to find your needs.