Nurses and health professionals have been shifting the way they work and pursuing new avenues in their careers. From creating a better work-life balance, to better pay, to working at different facilities, healthcare workers are creating rich, full careers outside of traditional full-time roles. Because of the shift, healthcare facilities are looking to adjust their staffing strategies to keep up with what nurses and health professionals are prioritizing in their careers. Understanding what the modern healthcare worker is looking for can help facilities work with, not against, the changes in the healthcare industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COVID-19 fast-tracked the already prevalent nursing shortage that the country had been facing. According to a study in Health Affairs<\/a>, from 2020 to 2021, the \u201ctotal supply of RNs decreased by more than 100,000 in one year\u2014a far greater drop than ever observed over the past four decades.\u201d This drop included a significant number of younger nurses, leading to increased worry over the state of the healthcare industry and the continued shortage of nurses leaving the career well before retirement age. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, \u201cAbout 194,500 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n As workforce shortages continue to become more prevalent, healthcare facilities are adjusting their staffing strategies, mainly by utilizing nurses and health professionals who have switched to part-time or per diem work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The number of per diem nurses and health professionals continues to rise over the years. According to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey<\/a>, \u201cReporting data suggest an estimated 89% of RNs who maintain licensure are employed in nursing; among these nurses, 70% work full time, 11% work part time, and about 8% work per diem shifts.\u201d As more nurses choose to work part-time or per diem shifts, solutions like Medely help healthcare facilities harness the per diem workforce, leading to a more efficient contingent workforce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With Medely\u2019s Talent Marketplace<\/a>, facilities can post the shift on our easy-to-use platform, which will then send it out to all qualified nurses or health professionals in the area, allowing them to pick up the shift. This allows facilities to not have to rely on already overworked full-time staff to pick up shifts, while also providing an easy solution for last-minute or planned callouts for vacations, illness, burnout, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024, we surveyed nearly 2,700 nurses and health professionals on the Medely platform and received over 1,000 responses to gain more insight into what they\u2019re prioritizing in their career and how Medely has helped them pursue their ideal healthcare career.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most pertinent findings was that payment was one of the top priorities for nurses and health professionals. 19% of respondents cited payment as one the main reasons for using Medely. When talking about payment, 11% of respondents shared that Medely offered better pay compared to other options, like full-time staff positions or other agencies, and 8% of respondents shared that Medely\u2019s fast pay was a contributing factor to why they keep picking up shifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Medely RN, Femi Faniku<\/a>, shared that the quick pay Medely offered helped him track his earnings more efficiently, allowing him to save up and buy a house. \u201cIn some other agencies I\u2019ve worked with, you have to wait for over a week or whatever payment schedule,\u201d Femi shared. \u201cBut with Medely, you saw your daily earnings.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Femi is just one of the many nurses and health professionals looking for higher rates and quicker payouts. According to Incredible Health\u2019s 2024 State of U.S. Nursing Report<\/a>, nurses are growing increasingly frustrated with the pay rate. \u201c64% of nurses feel they are not fairly compensated for their work.\u201d Not only do they not feel like they\u2019re being compensated correctly, but \u201c78% of nurses say their household\u2019s financial situation only meets their basic needs, with little to nothing left over for extras.\u201d As nurses and health professionals express frustration over the pay rate, more are taking control of their finances by pursuing avenues like per diem nursing where they can maintain a higher rate and work as much or as little as they need to do to reach their financial goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only do per diem shifts allow nurses and health professionals to pursue financial stability, but it also allows facilities to better control their budgets. When facilities solely rely on full-time staff, that often means being locked into paying a bi-weekly salary, health benefits, 401(k) match, sign-on bonuses, onboarding and training fees. Hiring full-time employees comes with a high upfront cost, as well as recurring costs down the road. And with more healthcare workers burning out and leaving the career, facilities can no longer guarantee staff will stay long term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With per diem nurses and health professionals, though, healthcare facilities can prioritize their budgets for when they need extra help, relying on their full-time staff to take care of the day-to-day operations and supplementing with contingent staffing when needed. Contingent staffing typically pays a higher rate up front, but compared to the continuous long-term costs it takes to hire a full-time, salaried employee, the slightly higher rate to staff on an as-needed basis saves facilities money over time. It also allows facilities to take stock of their staffing week-to-week and create a staffing plan based on current facility needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next most common reason nurses and health professionals utilize Medely is because of the flexible schedule they\u2019re able to maintain. 12% of respondents shared that Medely allowed them to pursue flexibility in their career and create the schedule that they want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Medely\u2019s 2024 Nurse Sentiment Survey<\/a>, \u201c55% of respondents said work flexibility is important when choosing an employer.\u201d With flexibility at the forefront of nurses and health professionals’ minds, more are turning away from full-time employment and turning toward part-time or per diem work, allowing them to create their own schedule and prioritize a healthier work-life balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat nurses and health professionals are prioritizing in their careers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prioritizing better payment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Increased flexibility <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n