As 2023 draws to a close we would like to take this opportunity to recap the top blogs published on HospitalRecruiting in 2023. We have been publishing blogs about hiring, job search tips, and career advice for physicians, advanced practitioners, healthcare recruiters, and everyone who works in healthcare for over 11 years. Here are our top 10 blogs from 2023:

1. 9 Tips to Build Your Clinical Leadership Skills

Author: Benjamin Williams, RN

Clinical leadership roles are a great way to advance your career and take it to the next level. They enhance your ability to make changes and increase your responsibility.

Succeeding in a leadership role, however, can be difficult. There are many challenges clinical leaders face that may be unfamiliar. Knowing how to inspire and guide others can be very different from simply performing clinical tasks yourself. There are several steps that you can take to overcome these potential difficulties and succeed in a leadership role.

Key Takeaways

• Be willing to learn
• Set goals and seek opportunities
• Build resilience to be a resource
• Shift your focus to others

2. Finance Tips for New Residency Graduates

Author: Danielle Kelvas, MD

You’ve graduated your residency program and after years of paying, it’s finally time to start earning. Before lying on your bed of cash however, review these best practice financial health tips for new physicians!

Key Takeaways

• Don’t touch your loans until you advice from a financial advisor
• Pay off credit card debt first
• Seriously evaluate your disability insurance
• Build your credit score
• Balance paying off debt with retirement/savings

3. To Fellowship or Not To Fellowship

Author: Santoshi Billakota, MD

When contemplating pursuing a fellowship in medicine, several important factors should be considered. Here, we aim to address common concerns and questions physicians may have regarding the necessity of fellowships, the time commitment required, the impact on personal life, and the importance of passion in decision-making.

The decision to pursue a fellowship largely depends on your career goals and the field of medicine you wish to specialize in. While some specialties may require fellowship training for advanced expertise, others may offer opportunities for career advancement without it. It is important to evaluate the specific requirements and expectations of your desired field to determine if a fellowship is necessary for your professional growth and aspirations.

Key Takeaways

• Evaluate the time commitment
• Consider if a fellowship affects your day-to-day positively
• Reflect on your motivations for considering a fellowship

4. How Transparency in Job Postings Improves Recruiting Outcomes

Author: Tammy McKinney, RN

Finding and onboarding quality candidates is the ultimate test in sales jobs, and it shows. Job boards are filled to the brim with opportunities, and recruiters are personally reaching out to candidates in droves. For job seekers, it’s overwhelming, and while they want a new position, they’re often turned off by the high-pressure, low-transparency environment. They find themselves frustrated by catchy headlines that mislead them into thinking they’ve found the job of their dreams, only to be let down when the true needs of the company are revealed during the 2nd or 3rd interview. It’s an emotional ride for the candidate and the recruitment team alike and can be avoided with one simple word: transparency.

While it may feel counterintuitive in the sales environment of job recruitment, transparency actually leads to a higher number of applicants and a better pool from which to choose. Let’s look at a few ways to keep your job postings transparent and bring in more recruits.

Key Takeaways

• Tell candidates when they’ll be working
• Talk about the salary in concrete terms, not vaguely
• Be clear about duties and responsibilities
• Sell the benefits package!

5. Key Considerations for Physician Contract Negotiations

Author: Santoshi Billakota, MD

In the world of medicine, contract negotiations play a crucial role in securing a favorable work environment, ensuring fair compensation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Physicians should be well-informed and proactive when engaging in these negotiations to protect their interests and optimize their professional lives. Here, we will explore key considerations for physicians during contract negotiations, addressing points such as work-life balance, salary, bonuses, academic pursuits, and the importance of legal advice.

Key Takeaways

• Discuss the work-life balance available
• Inquire about the base salary
• Be clear about anticipated clinic time
• Determine the level of supervision and support available
• Seek legal counsel

6. The Match of 2023 Was a Failure: What Happened?

Author: Danielle Kelvas, MD

The NRMP Match is a process by which medical students and residency programs agree to work together, allegedly. The match occurs annually in March when students rank the programs they’d like to work at, and those programs rank their preferred applicants.

This is a legally binding agreement. Wherever the algorithm matches you, you must work there as a resident physician.

However, the National Resident Matching Program saw a marked increase in positions and applicants in 2023, but an overall decrease in residencies filled and many ER’s are going understaffed. Declining numbers and exorbitant costs for student doctors make 2023 an overall failure for the match, but where did it all go wrong?

Key Takeaways

• The net percentage of PGY-1 positions filled decreased from last year
• Certified residencies filled to 86.6%, a decrease from last year
• Emergency medicine had a staggering decline, with 554 open positions
• 236 graduating senior MD students didn’t even register for the match
• This steady decline in the NRMP match results is likely predicting worse trends in future years

7. What Countries Can You Practice as a Physician Assistant

Author: Jacob Bollinger, PA

Physician Assistants have become an important part of the U.S. healthcare system. Officially formed in 1965, this profession has grown and expanded and now PAs can be found in all 50 states across the country. With this in mind, you may start to wonder: Where else in the world can Physician Assistants practice?

Key Takeaways

• Countries that currently recognize U.S. Physician Assistants
  • Netherlands
  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

8. How to Adapt to Working in a New Hospital

Author: Benjamin Williams, RN

Adapting to a new hospital can be challenging for a clinician who has previously worked in a different healthcare setting. There are, however, several practical steps you can take to smoothly transition into your new work environment. With a little bit of effort, you can quickly adjust to your new environment, effectively connecting with your new team members and providing the best care possible for your patients.

Key Takeaways

• Study the hospital’s culture and mission
• Focus on networking and building relationships
• Familiarize yourself with the hospital layout
• Draw from your past experiences

9. Recruiting in a Competitive Labor Market

Author: Nick Martuscelli

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, employers navigate a critical crossroads. As the demand for healthcare services intensifies, the labor market has tightened considerably, underscoring the requirement for effective recruitment and retention strategies. As we delve deeper into this challenge, it becomes increasingly clear that understanding the unique characteristics of the healthcare profession forms the foundation of any successful employment strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Understand a candidate’s needs, like work-life balance and continuous learning
• Strengthen the employer brand with good PR and feedback mechanisms
• Integrate emerging technology like video interviews and mobile recruitment
• Engage with educational institutions for job fairs or guest lectures

10. Thoughtful Questions to Ask as an Interviewee

Author: Tammy McKinney, RN

Interviewing for a new position is a stressful engagement, particularly if you’re the interviewee. It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on your appearance and how you’re communicating your skills and completely forget that while the company is interviewing you, you too are interviewing them. This is the time for you to find out if this particular company and position is a good fit for you and to determine if it is one that you actually want. Furthermore, asking questions shows that you have a deep interest in learning more and preparing for the position. It opens a dialogue between you and the company that can push you right to the top of the candidate list, but only if you ask the right questions.

Key Takeaways

• Inquire about the work environment
• Ask about the staffing protocols
• Get a gauge for employee satisfaction
• Find out how conflicts are resolved in-house
• Learn about the salary and benefits

Thanks for reading! We look forward to providing career resources for recruiters and healthcare professionals alike for years to come.  For further reading, visit our blog homepage.