Healthcare, already hit hard with staff shortages and burnout throughout the pandemic, is one of the industries most affected by the “Great Resignation” that began in 2021.
The national “quit rate” across industries reached a 20-year high last November. A February 2022 Pew Research Center study found that low pay, lack of advancement opportunities, and feeling disrespected at work were the top reasons workers quit their jobs.
The healthcare field has lost an estimated 20% of its workforce, including 30% of nurses, according to recent reports. Nearly 1.7 million healthcare workers have quit their jobs in 2022, and another 30% are considering leaving the profession.
During this tumultuous time, healthcare facilities are under intense pressure to keep their departments fully staffed. High turnover and staff shortage rates are likely to have a negative impact on remaining employees — who may experience burnout with an increased workload — and patients — who may not receive the attention and care they need.
How Locum Tenens Helps Bridge the Gap
Locum tenens positions offer a lifeline to both healthcare facilities and providers. Hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers can add reliable, qualified providers to their short-staffed departments on a part-time or temporary basis. For smaller or rural facilities, locum providers can make a significant difference, even preventing them from closing or allowing them to offer surgical services that wouldn’t otherwise be available in the community.
Locum work also offers many providers the freedom, flexibility, and financial stability they are seeking. For nurses and doctors who are burnt out and considering leaving the field, a locum job can be a welcome respite. They can choose a role with the hours, location, and clinical environment that meet their current needs, knowing that they don’t have to commit to a full-time position unless they want to. They also have an opportunity to keep working in healthcare on their own terms while they explore different roles and reassess their long-term goals.
Locum positions help bridge the gap during a challenging time for the healthcare industry, giving employers and providers a chance to regroup and reset for the future.
Interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities? Contact Radar Healthcare Providers to find out about locum positions across the United States.
