The team at ActivateStaff recently attended Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) Healthcare Staffing Summit 2023 in Las Vegas, where we had the opportunity to hear from the industry’s foremost thought leaders. It’s been a very interesting couple of years for healthcare, with many calling it a “rollercoaster ride”. From the nursing shortage and continuous impacts of the pandemic to the boom of digital disruption, a lot has changed.
Here’s what the numbers are telling us:
- Approximately 100,000 RNs have exited the workforce in the past two years, with another 610,000 planning to leave by 2027.
- Healthcare staffing agencies with a platform are growing at 2X the rate of traditional staffing.
- About 39% of your agency’s tasks are predicted to be automated by AI in the next three years.
Looking back on healthcare trends in 2023
We’ve been hearing it all year: the healthcare industry is in the midst of a staffing crisis. While healthcare employment is on the rise, there has been a decrease in the number of workers willing to work. According to SIA, the job opening-to-hire ratio stands at an alarming 2.30, indicating a major gap between available positions and filled roles. Unprecedented levels of stress and fatigue among the workforce paint a concerning picture for the future of healthcare.
What do healthcare workers really want
Healthcare professionals have made it clear that they feel burnout less when they’re respected and valued by their employers. Beyond respect, they also want greater control over their schedules, emphasizing the need for flexibility, transparency and better communication. The demand for flexibility is reinforced by data from Aya Healthcare, which revealed a 62% increase in the number of shifts available on its app over the last 12 months, along with a 54% increase in the number of shifts filled by nurses.
This is where staffing agencies have the opportunity to add the most value. By bridging the gap between what workers want and the demands of the job, recruiters can enhance job satisfaction, leading to higher quality care for patients.
The rise of mobile staffing platforms in healthcare staffing
While other sectors have been quick to embrace technological advances (consider Uber or Lyft), the staffing industry as a whole has long awaited its transformational moment. That moment has arrived with mobile staffing platforms, particularly for healthcare staffing (agencies with a platform are growing at 2X the rate of traditional staffing).
These platforms have emerged not just as tools, but as game changers, propelling an industry that was lagging behind into the forefront. They offer a human-centric solution to the staffing challenges by aligning with the modern healthcare professional’s demand for flexibility and transparency.
A human-focused experience for all sides of staffing
Staffing platform technology has revolutionized the healthcare employment landscape. Nurses can take command of their schedules and find job opportunities that align with their priorities at any time of the day. These platforms enhance job visibility and compensation transparency, fostering a new dynamic where recruiters are no longer gatekeepers but guides aiding healthcare professionals in their journey.
For recruiters, the integration of AI and automation into these platforms is already proving to be a game-changer. Tasks such as candidate pre-screening, data entry and credentialing can be streamlined, saving time each week. Features like automated notifications and geofenced tracking improve punctuality and reduce the unpredictability of no-shows. And when emergencies come up, these platforms can promptly fill those last-minute shift vacancies.
What to expect from AI and automation in healthcare staffing
The future of AI and automation in healthcare staffing promises to be an exciting one. As Barry Asin, President of SIA, shared during his opening keynote at the Summit, approximately 39% of agency tasks are predicted to be automated by AI in the next three years. Features such as voice AI for pre-screening calls and job matching will reduce administrative burden and enhance productivity. Predictive analytics will allow agencies to predict staffing shortages and take proactive measures. Machine learning algorithms will also offer more nuanced matching between candidates and jobs.
But perhaps the biggest advantage of tools like this is that they restore the ‘human’ element of working. By offloading repetitive tasks to AI, recruiters can refocus on the most important aspect of their job – building meaningful relationships with candidates and clients.
Experience the future of healthcare staffing. Read our case study or schedule a chat with an expert on our team to learn more about the impact of staffing platforms in the industry.
ActivateStaff team members attended Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2023 Healthcare Staffing Summit. Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) is the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. The company’s proprietary research covers all categories of employed and non-employed work including temporary staffing, independent contracting and other types of contingent labor. For more information on SIA, please visit the SIA website.
