The saga continues for the US Healthcare System as the health worker staffing shortage perseveres with no real solution in sight. Across continents, international nurse staffing agencies are increasing in numbers bearing the weight of delivering foreign nurses to US shores; this has yet to make a dent in the healthcare staffing gap all across the nation and has created domestic healthcare staffing problems for the corresponding source countries, as well.
As US hospitals continue to cut down on vital services due to a lack of workers, financial losses, and the further decline of current nurse populations, hospital leaders ask, what’s in store for healthcare recruiting in 2023?
1. World-wide demand for nurses increasing
Despite the increasing numbers of international nurse staffing firms serving the US, the competition for attracting nurses has become fiercer. Countries such as Luxembourg, Denmark, and Germany offer the highest salaries to attract nurses from developing countries. Incidentally, the US ranks fourth on the list.
Developing countries are primary sources of qualified nurses, but migration depletes workforce levels in their healthcare systems. They grapple with the need to maintain sustainable workforces versus the rights of their citizens to migrate and work in their country of choice. The nursing shortage is a global epidemic.
2. Educational institutions still cannot keep up with the demand.
US nursing schools have a massive faculty shortage and lack the facilities to accommodate students interested in completing a nursing degree.
In a recent article, Bloomberg reported that 76,000 applications had been turned away because schools lacked the resources to provide a complete course. The article stated that an October survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing showed 2,100 full-time faculty vacancies, of which 85% require a doctoral degree, one more step further from acquiring qualified instructors.
The educational system must provide higher education benefits for existing faculty members and need to attract a new generation of committed educators.
3. The proliferation of fake nursing diplomas
Authorities have uncovered a widespread scheme involving several nursing schools selling diplomas and have, so far, traced 7,600 fake diplomas and transcripts coming from three Florida schools (now closed).
The credibility of nurses is under scrutiny as New York, Georgia, Texas, Delaware, and other states have taken action to weed out the nurses with these diplomas. The investigations may affect more than the 7,600 fake diploma holders as actual graduates from the three Florida schools will also be subject to further inquiries.
4. Increasing demand for care services
The effects of COVID-19 can still be felt today as it’s predicted that patients who delayed primary care during the pandemic will require more care services for illnesses with advanced complications from poorly-managed chronic conditions putting further strains on an already overburdened health system.
The demand for healthcare workers will expand further as more patients take advantage of the Affordable Care Act, a reform law that provides healthcare services for people who cannot afford them.
5. An aging population and workforce
As the US senior citizen population increases, healthcare services demand will grow in this sector, as well. Preventative care for aging-related illnesses, the latest treatments in prolonging life expectancy, and elderly care are some of the foreseen medical services in demand for the aging population above 65, estimated to reach 73 million by 2030.
The healthcare workforce is declining as senior professionals begin their retirement. At this point, outgoing retirees are already outpacing incoming nurses. The disparity will become more dramatic through the years.
A comprehensive solution to the world’s healthcare recruiting problem will require much effort and collaboration from all industry sectors. With the previous staffing challenges compounded by the escalation of these new issues contributing to further service delivery and financial pains, healthcare companies need to take a moment and figure out innovative solutions that work best for their operations.
Suggested Read: The Future of Nurse Staffing
In the meantime, the show must go on. Companies should consider a staffing partner that delivers services that integrate well into their workflow and culture and ensures constant recruitment wins.
Healthcare companies need to find an international healthcare recruiting firm with a global reach that offers real solutions and quickly addresses staffing gaps and migration issues, allowing leaders to focus on optimizing operations amid the shortage. The cost savings and the degree of enhancement a competent firm can provide to staffing efforts would leave company leaders surprised.
TeamRecruit was founded to meet the dynamic, high-volume staffing needs of healthcare and staffing companies. Our talent acquisition team keeps a pipeline of engaged candidates ready to be deployed to our partners.
The saga continues for the US Healthcare System as the health worker staffing shortage perseveres with no real solution in sight. Across continents, international nurse staffing agencies are increasing in numbers bearing the weight of delivering foreign nurses to US shores; this has yet to make a dent in the healthcare staffing gap all across the nation and has created domestic healthcare staffing problems for the corresponding source countries, as well.
As US hospitals continue to cut down on vital services due to a lack of workers, financial losses, and the further decline of current nurse populations, hospital leaders ask, what’s in store for healthcare recruiting in 2023?
1. World-wide demand for nurses increasing
Despite the increasing numbers of international nurse staffing firms serving the US, the competition for attracting nurses has become fiercer. Countries such as Luxembourg, Denmark, and Germany offer the highest salaries to attract nurses from developing countries. Incidentally, the US ranks fourth on the list.
Developing countries are primary sources of qualified nurses, but migration depletes workforce levels in their healthcare systems. They grapple with the need to maintain sustainable workforces versus the rights of their citizens to migrate and work in their country of choice. The nursing shortage is a global epidemic.
2. Educational institutions still cannot keep up with the demand.
US nursing schools have a massive faculty shortage and lack the facilities to accommodate students interested in completing a nursing degree.
In a recent article, Bloomberg reported that 76,000 applications had been turned away because schools lacked the resources to provide a complete course. The article stated that an October survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing showed 2,100 full-time faculty vacancies, of which 85% require a doctoral degree, one more step further from acquiring qualified instructors.
The educational system must provide higher education benefits for existing faculty members and need to attract a new generation of committed educators.
3. The proliferation of fake nursing diplomas
Authorities have uncovered a widespread scheme involving several nursing schools selling diplomas and have, so far, traced 7,600 fake diplomas and transcripts coming from three Florida schools (now closed).
The credibility of nurses is under scrutiny as New York, Georgia, Texas, Delaware, and other states have taken action to weed out the nurses with these diplomas. The investigations may affect more than the 7,600 fake diploma holders as actual graduates from the three Florida schools will also be subject to further inquiries.
4. Increasing demand for care services
The effects of COVID-19 can still be felt today as it’s predicted that patients who delayed primary care during the pandemic will require more care services for illnesses with advanced complications from poorly-managed chronic conditions putting further strains on an already overburdened health system.
The demand for healthcare workers will expand further as more patients take advantage of the Affordable Care Act, a reform law that provides healthcare services for people who cannot afford them.
5. An aging population and workforce
As the US senior citizen population increases, healthcare services demand will grow in this sector, as well. Preventative care for aging-related illnesses, the latest treatments in prolonging life expectancy, and elderly care are some of the foreseen medical services in demand for the aging population above 65, estimated to reach 73 million by 2030.
The healthcare workforce is declining as senior professionals begin their retirement. At this point, outgoing retirees are already outpacing incoming nurses. The disparity will become more dramatic through the years.
A comprehensive solution to the world’s healthcare recruiting problem will require much effort and collaboration from all industry sectors. With the previous staffing challenges compounded by the escalation of these new issues contributing to further service delivery and financial pains, healthcare companies need to take a moment and figure out innovative solutions that work best for their operations.
Suggested Read: The Future of Nurse Staffing
In the meantime, the show must go on. Companies should consider a staffing partner that delivers services that integrate well into their workflow and culture and ensures constant recruitment wins.
Healthcare companies need to find an international healthcare recruiting firm with a global reach that offers real solutions and quickly addresses staffing gaps and migration issues, allowing leaders to focus on optimizing operations amid the shortage. The cost savings and the degree of enhancement a competent firm can provide to staffing efforts would leave company leaders surprised.
TeamRecruit was founded to meet the dynamic, high-volume staffing needs of healthcare and staffing companies. Our talent acquisition team keeps a pipeline of engaged candidates ready to be deployed to our partners.