How Healthcare Workers with Children Are Coping During the Pandemic

Parenting is hard. Parenting as a healthcare worker during a pandemic is even harder. These 7 strategies can help your family cope with coronavirus.

by Deborah Swanson

Juggling healthcare work with parenting was already a challenge in the best of times, and the pandemic has made everything 10 times harder. Now providers worry about bringing the virus home to their kids while simultaneously managing unprecedented situations at work. If you’re a healthcare worker with kids, here are seven suggestions for coping with the ongoing pandemic.

Consider Your Risk Factors

Not every healthcare worker is exposed equally to coronavirus. Likewise, not every healthcare worker is equally vulnerable or has a family member who’s equally vulnerable to the disease. If your line of work doesn’t bring you into contact with infectious patients that much, and no one in your family is high risk, you might be able to continue seeing your family as long as you wear proper protective gear at work, wash your hands often and clean yourself as soon as you get home. However, if you’re working directly with COVID patients, or your spouse and/or your kids are at a higher risk, it’s worth taking extra precautions and considering how much exposure you and your family are comfortable with.

Get Partners and Family Members Involved

If you’re raising your kids with a partner, both of you should talk about your comfort levels and exactly what risks you’ll be running at work. If you decide to self-isolate from your family (more on how to do this below), your partner will also have to take on more housework and childcare, so that’s a conversation that you need to have together. You might also want to turn to parents or in-laws for child assistance if they live nearby, but, again, you need to evaluate the risk factors. Grandparents are likely to be older and thus at a higher risk, and if you see your kids at home and then your spouse drops them off at grandma’s, the kids could transmit the infection even if they don’t have symptoms. If your spouse can’t watch the kids in your stead—maybe you both work in healthcare—it might be wise to temporarily have your kids stay with another relative.

Consider Self-Quarantining

If you don’t have people in the area that your kids can stay with, and you know you’ll be exposed to infectious patients, it might be best to self-isolate from the others in your household. This means sleeping in a separate room, using a separate bathroom and avoiding common areas such as the kitchen and living room. Your partner can bring meals to you and then take the dishes away. In some hotspots, hotels and other rentals are also offering rooms for free or cheap to healthcare workers who are exposing themselves to the virus and don’t feel comfortable staying at home. While it’s tough to be separated from their families, for many, it’s worth the peace of mind so they don’t have to fret about whether or not they have infected their partner or children.

Talk with Your Kids About COVID-19

In addition to talking with your partner, you should also talk with your kids about the coronavirus pandemic and what it means. Obviously, you want to go into an appropriate amount of detail for their age range. A good first step can be asking them what they know and what questions they have about coronavirus. Talk to them about how the virus spreads and what they can personally do to help keep themselves safe (i.e., washing their hands). Try to limit their exposure to the news. There’s no need to worry them unduly. If you will be isolating from them or otherwise changing your routine because of your healthcare job, explain to them why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Take Advantage of Technology

Whether or not you choose to self-isolate from your family, technology will play a big role in keeping you connected to both your nuclear and extended family, as well as friends and other loved ones scattered around the world. You might need to help older relatives figure out call technology so they can chat with the grandkids, and you can show your kids how to use their devices to keep in touch with their friends virtually. It’s not the same as being together in person, but these virtual connections can make you and your kids feel less alone as social distancing wears on.

Follow Best Sanitation Practices

Your hospital has probably put out guidelines explaining best sanitation practices for your department when it comes to reducing coronavirus transmission. Be sure to follow these guidelines, which includes donning proper PPE, washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask at all times. Some healthcare workers are also taking additional steps, such as changing at work and bringing home their worn cotton scrubs in a sealed bag. Many also leave their shoes at the door of their house (which you should be doing anyway), disrobe as soon as they get inside and wash all their clothes on the hottest possible cycle while they take a shower. Don’t forget to disinfect any devices, like your cell phone or pager, as well to help keep your family safe.

Have an Emergency Plan in Place

Regardless of what you decide to do, you need to have a game plan in place in case you, your partner or one of your kids start exhibiting symptoms that are in line with coronavirus. You should know which doctors to call, where to get tested and what you will do if the test comes back either positive or negative. You might also find it helpful to keep a “go bag” packed in case you need to suddenly self-isolate or head to the hospital. Hopefully, you’ll never have to put the plan into action, but laying it all out ahead of time will greatly reduce your stress and panic if worst comes to worst.

Parenting is hard, parenting during a pandemic is harder and parenting as a healthcare worker during a pandemic might be the hardest of all. Follow these seven strategies to help your family cope with coronavirus.


Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com, a site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. When she isn’t interviewing caregivers and writing about them, she’s gardening.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

6 Ways Healthcare Is Adapting to Handle Future Crises

From relying less on federal leadership to making government funding more flexible, discover what the healthcare world might look like post-coronavirus.

by Deborah Swanson

The coronavirus pandemic has upended the world, and it’s affected the healthcare system in a big way. At this point, it doesn’t seem like we’ll ever go back to the way things were before the pandemic, and both individuals and agencies are already planning for the new future. The coronavirus exposed tons of weaknesses in the healthcare system. As a result, many healthcare organizations are thinking hard about how they can better prepare for the next crisis.

Here are six strategies that the healthcare industry might implement, from relying more heavily on regional (vs. federal) leadership to making government funding more flexible. Discover what the healthcare world might look like post-coronavirus:

Leadership Will Emerge on a Regional Level

This trend has already shown itself just in the past few months. Given the conflicting messages from federal leaders and the high variability of the virus across different geographic areas, leadership has emerged on a state and even county level. Governors have worked together across state lines, while mayors have directed their cities’ reopening plans independent of other officials. While this patchwork of leadership can be hard to follow, it does allow for a more tailored approach. This regional-specific approach is necessary because the virus has hit some places harder than others. Expect to see regional and local leaders continue to take charge.

New Types of Care Centers Might Emerge

The pandemic has highlighted hospitals’ vulnerabilities and how both patients and healthcare workers might benefit from alternative care delivery centers. Unless coronavirus patients cannot breathe on their own, they’ve been told to stay away from hospitals and clinics, leaving many very sick people laid up at home. There’s simply nowhere else for sick people to go, and many hospitals are full. Skilled nursing facilities dedicated to coronavirus patients who don’t need the ICU (but would benefit from experts in stretch scrubs) could cut down on infectious transmissions and speed recoveries for moderately acute patients.

Telehealth Is Here to Stay

While some healthcare systems have been quietly implementing telehealth for years, it wasn’t the norm everywhere, and insurance didn’t always cover it. But coronavirus changed everything when care systems across the world eliminated all but the most essential in-person visits. While some of these measures (and the accompanying insurance coverage) were only temporary fixes, the coronavirus will likely turn telehealth services into a fixture of the healthcare landscape. Whether it’s an infectious disease or a natural disaster that causes people to relocate, telehealth connects patients to their providers from a safe distance. Expect telehealth to become more sophisticated as healthcare systems build on their last-minute coronavirus fixes.

Some Workers Might Stay Remote

Some healthcare interactions, like surgeries, simply have to take place in person. But you might see more and more healthcare employees working remotely if they don’t have to be in the clinic physically. This shift is especially true for administrative roles. Even providers might shift more of their patient load to telehealth appointments and only don their cotton scrubs or nursing shoes in-person a few days per week. While the world is changing daily, it’s safe to say that this trend isn’t going anywhere for the time being.

Information Sharing Will Be Widespread

Healthcare is traditionally a slow-moving, siloed industry. Not all that long ago, records were kept on physical papers that had to be faxed back and forth between offices. While hospitals were slowly getting on the digital bandwagon, the coronavirus has kicked these changes into overdrive. Healthcare teams are collaborating across state lines and even national borders to find a vaccine for COVID-19. Meanwhile, digital records are becoming the norm, allowing patients and providers to access them from different locations. And once a vaccine becomes available, this information sharing will need to increase, so offices across state lines can confirm that their patients have indeed received the shots.

Government Funding Might Become More Flexible

Speaking of siloes, it’s hard to find an area in healthcare that’s more separated and confusing than government funding. Right now, every program and department have their own financial regulatory rules. As a result, some states and grant recipients must puzzle their way through a labyrinth of regulations. However, the coronavirus pandemic is slowly but surely forcing agencies to develop ways to work together and streamline their processes. In fact, the federal government has already created a disaster response toolkit that advises states on managing Medicaid and other services during crises like pandemics and natural disasters. While this change will be slow-moving, we will likely see more cohesion as everyone tries to navigate the post-pandemic environment.

The healthcare industry is already feeling the pandemic’s effects, and changes will continue to come as healthcare evolves. Look out for these six changes as the healthcare industry tries to navigate the new normal.


Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com, a site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. When she isn’t interviewing caregivers and writing about them, she’s gardening.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How to Cope When You Hate Your Job

Working in healthcare is just plain hard. So, how do you cope if and when your passion for it seems gone? Here are some things to try.

Even without the added pressure of a pandemic, working in healthcare is just plain hard. On any given day, it can be mentally, emotionally, or physically exhausting—on its worst day, a combination of all three—and the reasons you found yourself wanting to work in the field may be long forgotten, replaced with resentment and regret. So, how do you cope, when you no longer love your job? Here are five ideas to try.

Identify What You Dislike

You cannot fix a problem, unless you know what the problem is. It’s easy to say, “I hate my job,” but, surely, you don’t hate everything about it. Take a hard look at what is plaguing you. What is it that is burning you out? Is it the volume of your workload? An ornery coworker? The things you see in your specialty? Talk it through with yourself, a friend or partner, or a mental health professional, so you can truly identify where the problem lies and develop a plan to remedy the problem. It might be an easier fix than you think.

Remind Yourself Why You Chose Your Job

The power of positive thinking doesn’t fix everything, but it can certainly help. When you are feeling particularly down about your job, it might do you some good to remember why you chose your career path. If you were motivated to go into healthcare to help people, as most are, you are still helping people, even on your bad days. It’s easy to lose sight of the good, when buried beneath the bad—dig out by remembering the real, tangible, positive impact your career makes on lives every day.

Find a Battle Buddy

The buddy system might be something you haven’t thought about since grade school, but it is something that the U.S. military has used for years to increase morale, improve safety, promote problem-solving, and even prevent suicide. Battle buddies, as they are known in the military, can be beneficial in healthcare, as well. If you don’t already have a coworker you can vent to and with, make it your mission to find one. Talk things through on a regular basis, as a way to decompress and let go of negative feelings, and to also bond with your battle buddy, and allow them to do the same.

Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To

Though you may work long hours, you are not always on the clock. Make sure you spend your time outside of work mentally clocked out, as well. Fill your schedule with things you enjoy, be they socially distant time with friends and family, any number of hobbies, or even just a day in bed with your favorite TV show on the big screen. Or, better yet, reward yourself by planning a vacation. Either way, give yourself something to look forward to outside of work to get you through the day. Even if it’s something small, it may be the boost you need to make the hours tick by a little bit faster.

Look for a New Job

If all else fails, know that the role you are currently in is not the only one of its kind on the planet. Luckily, if you’re reading this article, you’re already on a healthcare job board. Take a look and see what else is out there. Who knows, you might end up in a job you just plain love.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

10 Healthcare Roles Top Riskiest List

In what may come as a surprise to very few, the top ten riskiest jobs in terms of possible COVID-19 exposure are patient-facing roles in healthcare.

In what may come as a surprise to very few, of the 100 riskiest occupations in terms of exposure to COVID-19, the top ten riskiest jobs are patient-facing roles in healthcare.

Though no federal or U.S. state governments have released occupational data as it pertains to COVID-19 deaths, we were able to use the COVID-19 Occupational Risk Score to rank which roles may make people more susceptible to contracting the virus. The COVID-19 Occupational Risk Score, which was developed by Visual Capitalist and the World Economic Forum, scores occupations based on data from the U.S. Labor Department’s O*NET Database. Data points examined to determine risk include how often one is exposed to diseases and infections in their job, one’s proximity to other human beings while at work on a daily basis, whether or not there is regular direct contact with the general population, and more.

Of the ten jobs ranked as being of the highest risk during the pandemic, the riskiest job, with a near-maximum risk score of 99.7, went to Dental Hygienists. Trailing closely behind, the second riskiest job, as identified by the analysis, was Respiratory Therapy Technicians, with a risk score of 95.0. Registered Nurses—who have often been seen by many as the face of healthcare’s frontlines—ranked as the seventh riskiest position, with a risk score of 86.1.

Here are the top ten riskiest positions, as well as their COVID-19 Risk Scores:

  1. Dental Hygienists, 99.7
  2. Respiratory Therapy Technicians, 95.0
  3. Dental Assistants, 92.5
  4. Dentists, General, 92.1
  5. Orderlies (Patient Care Assistants), 90.2
  6. Family and General Practitioners, 90.1
  7. Registered Nurses, 86.1
  8. Respiratory Therapists, 84.2
  9. Radiologic Technicians, 84.1
  10. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, 82.1

Not in the top ten? If you want to find out if and where your position ranked, click here to see the top 100 riskiest jobs.

Do you feel the rankings are accurate? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Survey: How Do You Feel About COVID-19 Now?

Around the country, as more and more restrictions have been lifted, cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing. How do you, as a healthcare professional, feel about COVID-19 now?

Around the country, as more and more restrictions have been lifted, cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing, to the point where Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is warning that the nation could see 100,000 new cases per day. Despite this, a dangerously large amount of the American population appears to be going about life as normal—their faces unmasked, and the pandemic all but forgotten.

And then there are the healthcare professionals—those who are working tirelessly, with their masks firmly affixed to their faces, to help stem the pandemic as it continues to rage on.

As healthcare professionals, we wanted to gauge your thoughts on what is currently happening around the nation in regards to the pandemic and how seriously, or not seriously, people seem to be taking it. Tell us below.

Name:*
Email Address:*
Title:*
Specialty:*
How concerned are you, as a medical professional, regarding the spread of COVID-19 in the United States?*
How concerned are you for your own health and safety, as a medical professional, in regards to treating persons diagnosed with COVID-19?*
How well do you feel your local, state, and federal governments are handling the COVID-19 outbreak?*
How seriously do you feel the American people are taking the COVID-19 outbreak?*
Do you feel mask use in public should be mandatory for the American people?:*
If you have any additional thoughts you would like to share relating to the COVID-19 outbreak, please do so in the text box below.

By submitting this form, you are giving your permission to HealthJobsNationwide.com to republish any responses included on this form in future content that may be used on our website or social media accounts.

Verify You're a Human:

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Mental Health of Healthcare Workers Has Tanked Amid Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly taking a toll on the mental health of our nation’s healthcare workers, according to the findings of our recent survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly taking a toll on the mental health of our nation’s healthcare workers, according to the findings of our survey on mental health on the frontlines.

The results, which appear to echo findings regarding the mental health of medical personnel on China’s frontlines, show a sharp decline in perceived mental health, as well as a sizable uptick in perceived work-related stress, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey, which saw responses from physicians, registered nurses, advanced practitioners, respiratory therapists, and more, asked healthcare professionals on the frontlines to rate their current mental health, as well as their mental health prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. On average, prior to the pandemic, respondents ranked their mental health as a 7.88 out of 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent. 5.44 out of 10 is how the same respondents rank their current mental health.

Respondents also expressed a negative view of their employers, with the average response mostly unfavorable (4.42/10) when asked how important they feel their mental health is to their employers.

The results were as follows, including select quotes from respondents.

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your mental health prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Average Answer: 7.88/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your current mental health?
Average Answer: 5.44/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very low and 10 being very high, how would you rate your level of work-related stress prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Average Answer: 6.08/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very low and 10 being very high, how would you rate your current level of work-related stress?
Average Answer: 8.15/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how well do you believe you are coping with your work-related stress?
Average Answer: 6.17/10

Most Commonly Used Coping Mechanisms:
1. Physical Activity
2. Humor
2. Talking to Family/Friends
3. Avoidance
4. Prescription Medication
5. Other
6. Yoga/Meditation
7. Alcohol
8. Therapy
9. Recreational Drugs

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how much do you feel your job negatively impacts your mental health?
Average Answer: 7.6/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how much do you feel the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened your mental health?
Average Answer: 7.4/10

On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how important do you feel your mental health is to your employer?
Average Answer: 4.42/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us regarding mental health and frontline medical workers?

“We need help. We aren’t getting it. I feel hopeless and like death is around every corner.”

“It is very stressful and depressing to work for months wearing masks, gowns and gloves and still try to deliver compassionate, effective, efficient, and personable care. No one cares about the staff’s mental health at all.”

“It’s fear of the unknown. There’s so much we don’t know about this virus—that’s frightening at times.”

“As a parent of three children dealing with the stress of bringing home COVID to my family and having no time to myself, having to do home schooling on my days off, has definitely made it exhausting and extremely high stress.”

“Essential or sacrificial?”

“You must to take care of yourself first in order to take care of anyone else, which includes your mental health. I really never understood this until the pandemic started to take its toll.”

“We mostly hear about doctors and nurses in the hospital, but therapists/dietitians/CNAs/dietary/housekeeping are also hit hard, ESPECIALLY in nursing homes because these residents are like family. Watching dozens of your “family members” die in a month is traumatizing. The first few you sob and sob, then you become numb to it, because it’s all you can do to keep going. If you cry over every death, there’ll be nothing left of you. But we don’t get the support we need to keep going. We’re treated like machines, expected to keep going, spend more and more hours and work to make sure we’re ready for a state infection control survey. We’re tired. I’m tired. I can’t handle a second wave.”

Prior to the pandemic, multiple occupations within the field were already considered high stress and the suicide risk was identified as being higher among nurses than any other profession, making the findings especially alarming. With experts predicting an escalating mental health crisis for Americans as a whole, it is especially important for healthcare professionals to be aware of their mental health, and to seek help as needed.

If you are struggling with your mental health, we urge you to ask for help. You are just a call or text away from reaching professionals who can assist you in processing what you are experiencing. Reach out to them, if you need support at:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
  • The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Survey: Mental Health on the Front Lines

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, as well as the fifth straight month those on the frontlines have been treating COVID-19. How are you doing? Tell us here.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

May is also the fifth straight month frontline medical workers have been tasked with treating patients who are battling COVID-19 in the United States, losing more than 90,000 of them along the way. That certainly takes a toll, and it appears to be causing, at least in part, some of those on the front lines to take their own lives, as well.

Two medical workers in one of the nation’s hardest hit areas, New York, died by suicide in the last month—Dr. Lorna Breen, the medical director of the emergency department at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, and John Mondello, an emergency medical technician.

Working in healthcare can be incredibly draining—mentally, physically, and emotionally—with multiple occupations within the field being considered high stress and the suicide risk higher among nurses than any other profession. Add in a pandemic and it is more than understandable to be feeling less than your best, even if you are not working in a COVID unit.

So, how are you feeling? How is your mental health? How are you coping, or not coping, right now? We want to know.

Tell us in the survey below, and then be sure to read our tips on how to care for yourself while treating COVID-19 patients by clicking here.

Name:*
Email Address:*
Title:*
Specialty:*
Are you working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in any capacity?*
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your mental health prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your current mental health?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very low and 10 being very high, how would you rate your level of work-related stress prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very low and 10 being very high, how would you rate your current level of work-related stress?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how well do you believe you are coping with your work-related stress?*
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What coping mechanisms are you currently relying on to help you deal with work-related stress?*
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how much do you feel your job negatively impacts your mental health?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how much do you feel the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened your mental health?*
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On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being very little and 10 being very much, how important do you feel your mental health is to your employer?*
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Is there anything else you would like to tell us regarding mental health and frontline medical workers?

By submitting this form, you are giving your permission to HealthJobsNationwide.com to republish any responses included on this form in future content that may be used on our website or social media accounts.

Verify You're a Human:

If you are struggling with your mental health, we urge you to ask for help. You are just a call or text away from reaching professionals who can assist you in processing what you are experiencing. Reach out to them, if you need support at:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
  • The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Top 10 Pandemic-Proof Healthcare Jobs

Healthcare is often touted as a recession-proof industry. But is it pandemic-proof? Given the number of available jobs, it seems so. See the most in-demand position types here.

Healthcare is often touted as a recession-proof industry. This is typically believed, because, even in the worst economic times, people still require medical care. However, it is proving not to be entirely pandemic-proof, with more than 40,000 healthcare professionals being laid off in March, when COVID-19 began to significantly impact nearly every industry in the United States.

Healthcare is still hiring for a surprisingly large number of positions, though, despite the pandemic continuing on, and not all of them are related to COVID-19, either.

Here are the top ten most in-demand positions right now, according to data from our job board.

1. Registered Nurse

Number of Available Jobs: 7,761
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, New York, Massachusetts
View All Registered Nurse Jobs →

2. Physician

Number of Available Jobs: 4,141
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, New York, Pennsylvania
View All Physician Jobs →

3. Speech Language Pathologist

Number of Available Jobs: 3,462
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, Texas, Illinois
View All Speech Language Pathologist Jobs →

4. Physical Therapist

Number of Available Jobs: 2,840
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, Texas, Illinois
View All Physical Therapist Jobs →

5. Nurse Practitioner

Number of Available Jobs: 2,222
States with the Most Available Jobs: New York, California, Connecticut
View All Nurse Practitioner Jobs →

5. Occupational Therapist

Number of Available Jobs: 2,222
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, Texas, Illinois
View All Occupational Therapist Jobs →

7. Physical Therapist Assistant

Number of Available Jobs: 1,833
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, Texas, Illinois
View All Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs →

8. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Number of Available Jobs: 1,725
States with the Most Available Jobs: California, Texas, Illinois
View All Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs →

9. Respiratory Therapist

Number of Available Jobs: 1,703
States with the Most Available Jobs: Pennsylvania, Alaska, Florida
View All Respiratory Therapist Jobs →

10. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Number of Available Jobs: 1,346
States with the Most Available Jobs: Texas, California, Virginia
View All Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Jobs →

Don’t see your position listed? That doesn’t mean it isn’t hiring. Search for it on our job board by clicking here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Freebies, Discounts, & Perks for Healthcare’s Heroes

To recognize the heroic efforts of frontline medical staff, companies are offering promotions as a way of giving back. Here’s a giant list of them.

Last Updated: May 11th, 2020 at 8:50 AM ET. Please see individual websites for further details about offers, including whether or not they have expired.

No one has proven more essential through the COVID-19 crisis than the medical professionals who are working on the frontlines of the pandemic. To recognize your heroic efforts, scores of companies across the nation are offering promotions as a way of giving back.

To make it a bit easier to know what is being offered to you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the available free and discounted goods and services, as well as other perks, and have posted it below.

Please note, this list is by no means complete. However, it is extensive, and we will continue to update it, as we come across new promotions and as promotions expire or reach their limit. If you are aware of a promotion not listed below, or if you discover that a promotion listed has expired, please email us by clicking here.

If you have any questions about a specific promotion, please direct those questions to the company offering the promotion. Thank you.

PPE

Mask Match — Free Masks
If you are a healthcare worker in need of a mask, Mask Match will try to connect you with someone who has masks to donate. Fill out the “I Need Masks” form to get started.
Learn More →

Apparel, Goods, and Services

Adidas — 40% Off
Adidas offers 15% off year-round for first responders and nurses. However, they have increased that discount program to 40% off during the COVID-19 crisis.
Learn More →

Big Lots — 15% Off
Big Lots is offering a 15% discount off everything for medical professionals, first responders, and active military/veterans. Just show your badge or work/military ID or use code BIGHEROES online. This offer is good through May 31st.
Learn More →

BJ’s Wholesale Club — Priority Access
BJ’s Wholesale Club, at all of its locations, will have an Appreciation Hour from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sundays for first responders and healthcare workers. During this designated time period, first responders and healthcare workers can shop in all of BJ’s locations without a membership.
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Care.com — Free Premium Access
Care.com is providing one month of free, premium access to their site to support frontline medical workers who need help with finding care for their children, parents, and pets.
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Clarks — 50% Off
Shoe manufacturer and retailer, Clarks, is offering a 50% discount for nurses and first responders. Limit one 50% off code per nurse or medical professional. Verify your ID through ID.me to receive the discount.
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Costco — Priority Access
Costco is temporarily offering priority access to members who are healthcare workers and first responders, such as police officers, EMTs and firefighters. Just present your Costco membership card and official identification of your role to move to the front of the line.
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Crocs — Free Crocs
Crocs is donating 10,000 shoes a day through their “Sharing a Pair for Healthcare” initiative. All you have to do is go to the Crocs website and get in line at 12:00 PM ET for each day’s giveaway.
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Dearfoams — Free Slippers — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
Dearfoams is giving away free slippers to healthcare workers, and has also committed to donating 100,000 face masks to healthcare heroes.
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Dollar General — In-Store Discount
Dollar General is offering an in-store discount of an unspecified amount to all medical personnel, first responders, and activated National Guardsmen. Just present your employer badge or ID. It was previously announced that the discount would be 10%, and may be more or less at this time.
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Dr. Scholl’s — Free Insoles
Dr. Scholl’s is donating 100,000 pairs of Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Work insoles to healthcare workers across the country, totaling a $1.3 million donation. Hospitals can email coronavirus.outreach@drscholls.com to submit a request for their medical staff.
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Food Network — Free Access
Food Network is giving healthcare professionals 1 year of free access to their app, Food Network Kitchen, which offers step-by-step cooking tutorials, as well as commercial-free access to Food Network shows.
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Home Shopping Network — 15% Off
Home Shopping Network is offering nurses 15% off any single item on HSN.com. Exclusions apply. Coupon valid through December 31st, 2020.
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Jansport — 50% Off
Jansport, the maker of backpacks, bags, and accessories, is offering 50% for medical professionals and first responders. This offer is valid through June 30th, 2020.
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Nike — 20% Off
For a limited time, Nike has increased their first responder and medical professional discount from 10% to 20%. Doctors, nurses, technicians, medical researchers, EMTs, firefighters, law enforcement, and more are eligible for the discount.
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The North Face — 50% Off
From April 14, 2020 to December 31, 2020 The North Face will be giving a 50% discount to healthcare workers in the U.S. This discount can be used for the purchase of non-sale items on their website and at The North Face-owned retail stores in the United States.
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Publix — Priority Access
First responders and hospital staff will be permitted to shop in Publix and access in-store pharmacies an hour after closing to the general public on Thursday evenings, from 8:00 until 9:00 PM, and an hour before opening to the general public on Friday mornings, from 7:00 until 8:00 AM until further notice.
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Reebok — 50% Off
Reebok has increased their longstanding company discount to first responders and educators to 50% off. All nurses, military members, educators and first responders can shop 50% off at Reebok.com with no exceptions during this time.
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Sam’s Club — Priority Access
Beginning April 19th, Sam’s Club is offering priority access to members who are healthcare workers and first responders during their “Hero Hours,” which are special shopping hours on Sundays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
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Samsung — Up to 30% Off/Free Repairs
Samsung has extended their employee discount to all first responders and their families, which includes free repairs for Samsung phones, as well as up to 30% off products.
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Tide — Free Laundry Services
Tide is offering free laundry services and dry cleaning to the families (defined as ‘next of kin’ e.g. same household/address) of frontline responders including nurses, doctors, paramedics, hospital/medical staff, medical researchers, police officers, and firefighters. The offer is good in participating cities through May 9.
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Under Armour — 40% Off
Under Armour is recognizing those on the front lines by offering a 40% off discount for military members, first responders, health care workers and teachers. Just choose ‘Military and First Responder Discount’ at checkout to get your discount.
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YETI — 20% Off
YETI, maker of coolers, drinkware, bags, and more, is offering a 20% discount to medical professionals and first responders. Verify your ID to receive the discount. Some restrictions apply.
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Food & Beverages

Circle K — Free Coffee, Tea, or Fountain Drink — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
First responders and health care workers can get a free coffee, tea, or Polar Pop Fountain Drink when they show an ID through April 30.
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DoorDash — Free or Discounted Delivery
DoorDash, the food delivery app, is actively partnering with hospitals in the U.S. and Canada to provide free access to Corporate DashPass. Every doctor, nurse, and hospital employee from partnering hospitals will receive at least 60 days of free DashPass, which eliminates or reduces delivery fees from local restaurants.
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Dunkin’ — Free Coffee and Donut — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
On the first day of National Nurses Week, Wednesday, May 6, Dunkin’ is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee and a free donut to all healthcare workers who visit participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, while supplies last. Not purchase necessary. Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew, Limit 1 per guest. Not valid on mobile orders.
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Hooters — 20% Off
Hospital workers, first responders, and military personnel get 20% off at Hooters. Show your work ID for curbside pickup orders, or for online orders choose the “Pay at Store” option.
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IHOP — 20% Off
Get 20% off your entire check if you’re a medical, law enforcement, military, and firefighter professional. All you need to do is mention the offer when you call in your order to IHOP. Then, show your official ID when you pick up your order.
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Krispy Kreme — Free Dozen Donuts
Every Monday, Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens of their iconic Original Glazed® Doughnuts to healthcare workers. Just go to a Krispy Kreme drive-thru, tell them what you need, and show your employer badgeLimit five dozen per healthcare worker. Valid until May 12.
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Little Caesars Pizza — Free Pizzas
Little Caesars Pizza will be donating and delivering a million pizzas to healthcare workers and first responders in the U.S. in the next few weeks. Starting April 13, customers can also “Pie it Forward” and donate a pizza to their local hospital, police station, or fire station via the Little Caesars app.
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McDonald’s — Free Meal — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
Participating McDonald’s locations will provide the option of a free Thank You Meal to first responders and healthcare workers, valid all day and night between April 22nd and May 5th. Frontline workers, including healthcare professionals, can order these meals via the drive thru or the McDonald’s app and will be asked to show their ID badge during the pick-up process.
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Nando’s PERi-PERi — Free Meals
The fast-casual chicken restaurant, which has locations in Illinois, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, is providing free meals to anyone with a valid hospital ID. Limited to one meal per day while supplies last. Valid through May 17th, 2020.
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Racetrac — Free Small Coffee or Fountain Drink — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
Racetrac is offering all essential workers, who are either wearing their uniform and/or have valid ID, a free small coffee or small fountain drink now through April 30. Limit one per person per day.
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Starbucks — Free Hot or Cold Tall Brewed Coffee — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
Starbucks has announced that “any customer who identifies as a first responder or front-line worker supporting our healthcare system” can get a free hot or cold tall brewed coffee on each visit through May 3.
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Thistle — 10% Off
Thistle, a ready-to-eat, food delivery service, is offering 10% off all deliveries to healthcare workers through May. Use code HOSPITALHEROES at checkout or reach out to hello@thistle.co for more details.
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Tropical Smoothie Cafe — Free Smoothies
Medical professionals and first responders can contact their local Tropical Smoothie shop to have free smoothies delivered to your team.
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Wawa — Free Coffee
Wawa, which has locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Florida, and Washington D.C., is offering free coffee to healthcare workers and first responders for the length of the Coronavirus pandemic.
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White Castle — Free Castle Combo or Breakfast Combo — Limit Reached/Giveaway Expired
White Castle is offering a free Castle Combo or breakfast combo to healthcare workers and EMTs, valid through the end of April. This is good for drive-thru only and you must show ID to receive the offer.
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Health & Wellness

Down Dog — Free Access
Down Dog is offering all of its apps, including Down Dog, Yoga for Beginners, HIIT, Barre, and 7 Minute Workout, completely free for nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals through July 1.
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Headspace — Free Access
Headspace is offering free access to its meditation app through 2020 for anyone working in a public health setting.
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Neurocore Counseling — Free Telehealth Counseling
Neurocore Counseling is offering free telehealth counseling to medical personnel and first responders through May 1 or longer.
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Training Mate — Free Streaming Workouts
The LA-based gym is offering a free month of streaming workouts for frontline healthcare professionals.
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Lodging, Travel, Transportation

Airbnb — No Fees
Find a frontline stay specially prepared for first responders through Airbnb, with the company waiving fees for the first 100k stays booked through their COVID-19 relief program.
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BP/Amoco — $.50 Off Per Gallon of Gasoline
The gas station chain is offering a discount of 50 cents off per gallon for first responders and health care workers the next time they fill up at BP or Amoco gas stations in the US.
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Choice Hotels — Discounted Hotel Rates
Choice Hotels is offering a “Choice Cares” special rate for nurses, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, food/agriculture workers, transit employees, and others outlined by CISA guidelines. Up to 9 nights can be booked with the special rate.
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Hilton Hotels — Free and Discounted Hotel Rates
Hilton Hotels, in partnership with American Express, will donate up to 1 million hotel room nights across the United States to frontline medical professionals leading the fight against COVID-19. They will make rooms available without charge to doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other frontline medical staff who need a place to sleep, recharge, or isolate from their families through the end of May.
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Honda Motor Company — $500 Off
Honda is offering nurses and other healthcare professionals $500 savings toward any 2019 or newer model year Honda when they finance or lease with Honda Financial Services®. Available until July 6, 2020.
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Marriott Bonvoy — Free and Discounted Hotel Rates
Marriott Bonvoy, in collaboration with American Express and JPMorgan Chase, has started a new initiative called Rooms for Responders which will provide $10 million in hotel stays for doctors and nurses leading the fight against COVID-19. They also offer their Community Caregiver Program, which provides significantly discounted rates for first responders and healthcare professionals who want to book rooms at hotels near the hospitals where they work.
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Red Roof Inn — 15-20% Off
Travel nurses with valid ID can get 20% off their stay at Red Roof Inn when they book online or call 1-800-733-7663. Discounts are also available to members of Advantage RN (20% off) and Emergency Nurses Association (15% off).
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Sixt Rent a Car — 5% Off
Sixt Rent a Car is offering a 5% discount on car rentals to doctors and other medical staff. Bring valid ID when you pick up your vehicle.
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Uber — Free Transportation
Uber Health is providing free transportation for frontline healthcare workers, helping them get to and from patients’ homes, as well as between healthcare facilities. They are also providing free meals on Uber Eats to first responders and healthcare workers in US and Canada, in coordination with local, state, and provincial governments.
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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Join the Fight Against COVID-19

We encourage all healthcare professionals who are able to join the fight against COVID-19 to register with us and label themselves as #covid19 ready.

Our nation is facing an incredibly trying time due to COVID-19, and it is being felt the deepest on healthcare’s front lines. As a leading healthcare job board, we feel it is our responsibility to assist hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to be properly staffed during the COVID-19 crisis, not only to better serve their communities, but to help alleviate the enormous strain placed on healthcare professionals due to staffing shortages and increased patient volume.

We encourage all healthcare professionals who are ready, willing, and able to join the fight against COVID-19 to register with us and label themselves as #covid19 ready.

To do so, please take the following steps:

  • Create or update a profile on HealthJobsNationwide.com by clicking here.
  • Fill in all required information, and along with your current specialty, be sure to select the temporary specialty “#covid19” in the Specialty dropdown. This will allow hospitals and healthcare facilities to easily find and contact you.
  • Then, if and when you are ready, search COVID-19 related jobs on our site by clicking here.

Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do through this crisis. We are with you.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.