The Great Resignation Isn’t Sparing Healthcare

We have been hearing about the Great Resignation for about a year now. Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, the Great Resignation is a phenomenon that has seen millions of people leave their jobs since the start of the COVID pandemic. Some are leaving to find employment elsewhere within the same industry. Others are retiring early. Still others are looking for a complete change, looking for work in an entirely different field or starting a new business.

Unfortunately for healthcare, the Great Resignation isn’t sparing it. Just look at nurse practitioner jobs. They are as plentiful now as they have ever been. The same goes for nursing jobs, physician jobs, therapist jobs, and on and on. It is not clear where all the disaffected workers are going, but it is clear that healthcare facilities are now having to work harder than they ever have in the past to fill open positions.

Looking for Something New

It is not surprising that job boards would have a lot more open doctor, nurse, and nurse practitioner jobs since the start of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was obviously at the forefront of the pandemic. It still is. A lot of healthcare professionals just had their fill in the troubled year that was 2020. Many have decided it is time for a change.

Out in Idaho, the Idaho Press recently published an article about a group of healthcare professionals who had gotten together to discuss life after healthcare. Some of them were in the position of transitioning to new careers while others had already made the switch. The group represented everyone from nurse practitioners to therapists.

It is interesting that these professionals wanted to share their stories, not to encourage other healthcare workers to abandoned ship, but to let them know that other things were out there should they decide to try something new. That’s really what all of this is about. Whether it is healthcare or some other industry, the Great Resignation is about switching gears.

Those Who Stay Behind

Virtually every industry is reeling from the fallout of the Great Resignation. Those who stay behind have their own choices to make. Do they stay, or do they go? In healthcare, employers are doing everything they can to make sure their people stay. They have every reason to do so.

It goes without saying that healthcare workers are in the driver’s seat right now. They have a lot of leverage to ask for changes. Healthcare facilities have little choice but to comply with every reasonable request. Otherwise, they stand to continue losing workers to the Great Resignation.

From nurse practitioner jobs to allied health jobs, things in healthcare are changing rapidly. That is one of the things the group in Idaho mentioned. Many of the healthcare professionals who have decided to move on say that the modern work environment is nothing like what they knew when they first got started. Again, this is understandable. Nothing remains unchanged forever.

The Opportunities Are There

Even as the Great Resignation continues, opportunities for employment abound. If you are looking for nurse practitioner jobs, you will find plenty here on our jobs board. The same goes for therapist jobs, physician jobs, etc. Take the time to look around and maybe post your resume. There are employers out there very much interested in speaking with you.

In the meantime, the healthcare sector will have to continue changing in order to adapt to the modern workforce. The old ways of doing things are not going to work any longer. The faster healthcare adapts, the faster it will right the employment ship and start moving forward again.


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.

Study: Unionization and Staffing Regs Could Improve Nurse Retention

Employment data makes it abundantly clear that nurses are leaving their jobs in ever increasing numbers. Just look at any healthcare jobs board and you will find a seemingly endless list of registered nurse jobs. It is a problem we have been talking about for many years, a problem that has only been amplified by the COVID pandemic. So, what’s the solution?

The results of a recently released study suggest two things: unionization and staffing regulations at the state level. The proposed changes answer the biggest problems driving nurses away from their chosen field. Those two things are moral distress and safety.

Nurses Are Overworked

A big part of the study, conducted by researchers at the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was an understanding that nurses are overworked. That much really isn’t a matter of debate. Being overworked leaves nurses feeling like they cannot provide the kind of care they are otherwise capable of. This leads to moral distress and, in some cases, unsafe conditions for both patients and nurses.

Researchers measured several metrics, including how and when nurses cared for six or more patients simultaneously. Six seems to be the threshold in terms of whether a nurse can provide safe and quality care. Ideally, registered nurse jobs would be designed to allow for the highest quality care by not giving nurses too many patients at once. But when nurses are in short supply, those on the front lines need to care for more patients.

The Staffing Regulation Proposal

Among the study’s proposals is one that suggests staffing regulations. Researchers pointed to a number of states that enacted such regulations in the wake of the pandemic. In each state where regulations limited the number of patients a nurse could care for, moral distress fell. So did the likelihood that nurses would leave their positions within the next year.

In simple terms, it would appear as though registered nurses do not want to leave their jobs. They love what they do. They have a sincere desire to take care of sick people. The problem is they feel as though they cannot give patients the kind of care they want to. Why?

Interestingly, 93% of the nurses surveyed for the study reported an inability to take the ethically right course of action on behalf of patients because of “organizational and institutional constraints.” In other words, their employers have rules and policies in place that prevent nurses from doing what they believe is ethically right. That is both amazing and unacceptable.

Unionizing Could Make a Difference

Researchers concluded that many of the issues related to moral distress could be solved through unionization. By unionizing registered nurse jobs, the industry would give nurses a real voice in how healthcare facilities are run. It would give them a voice in determining how patients are cared for.

Of course, addressing moral distress through unionization would require a union and leadership whose sole purpose for existing is not getting nurses more money. According to the research, it is not about the money anyway. Nurses certainly won’t balk at being paid more, but it’s clear they are already willing to walk away due to moral distress and safety issues. Money alone is not going to solve that problem.

No doubt that registered nurse jobs across the country are waiting to be filled. Meanwhile, untold numbers of nurses are considering leaving the profession. If staffing regulations and unionization can reverse that trend, both are worth looking into. Eventually, something will have to be done to answer legitimate nurse concerns.


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 Best Ways to Prepare for Your First Nursing Clinical

Few things are so dreaded in the life of a nursing student as the first clinical. Everything you’ve learned in class now has a practical application—on living, breathing humans. Humans you will be expected to care for. 

The prospect is daunting for many people. Perhaps it even should be. But there is an important distinction between being reasonably anxious, and overwhelmingly afraid. In this article, we explore how to get ready for your first clinical so that you can have a successful first day of nursing school clinicals.

Sleep Well

Nurses aren’t exactly known for their good sleeping habits. Twelve hours shifts, some of which happen at night tend to dampen one’s chances of getting the doctor-recommended eight hours. Elusive though good sleep may be to the working nurse, it remains an option to you, the student. 

Go to bed early the night before your first clinical, and try to factor in variables, like nerves. It can be difficult to fall asleep the night before a significant life event. Figure out a way to do it anyway. 

Eat Right

Good nutrition is also an important step in surviving your first clinical. Eat a healthy, filling dinner the night before. On the morning of your clinical, it is equally important to eat a well-balanced breakfast. Try to come up with a menu that focuses on providing a good energy boost. 

Fats are actually one of the most dependable sources of short-term energy. You can work them into your morning routine with healthy meals like yogurt and fruit. 

Come Correct with Supplies

Undoubtedly, your school has provided you with a list of supplies you will need for your first clinical. It’s a good idea to check off that list the night before, making sure you will know where to find everything when it comes time to head out the door the next morning. 

Many people make the choice to label their supplies. This may be a good idea—many of your peers will have virtually identical gear. 

Also consider the merits of additional items that, while not necessary, could make your job easier. For example, a high-quality, durable watch can help monitor a patient’s heart rate. Just make sure that you are aware of everything you ring to the hospital so you can return home with it at the end of the day. 

Be Prepared to Ask for Help

Do you want to hear a secret? You aren’t the first future nurse to do clinicals. You aren’t the second either. Everyone at the hospital will be well aware of why you are there and what you are doing. The nurses are likely to be particularly sympathetic, remembering their initial experiences with the profession. 

Questions and uncertainty are expected. And, when it comes to patient care, it’s always better to ask your question and do something right than it is to remain silent and make mistakes. Don’t be shy. No one there expects you to know everything. 

Review Your Coursework

The night before your first clinical is a good time to scan over your coursework. This isn’t a cram session. It’s a refresher. You know what you need to know. Doing a review cements it in your mind, and it can also help you build confidence. 

Doing a review of all that you’ve learned will remind you that you have the information you need to have a successful clinical already in your head. 

Take a Breath

Finally, take a moment to calm down. Clinicals are scary. For everyone. And yet, anxious or not, you are ready for the task ahead. The night before a clinical is a good time to take a quiet, peaceful moment and just reflect on the reality of what you are preparing to do. 

  • You are qualified to do this. You have completed the classwork up until this point. You know your stuff. 
  • You will have resources on hand to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. 
  • It’s normal to be afraid. All your classmates are too. 
  • Things will go wrong. You’re entering a situation filled with variables and uncertainty, and you’re doing it with no experience at all. Things will go wrong. When they do, you’ll receive help, and learn from your mistakes. 

Once you accept the challenges of your first nursing clinical, can begin to appreciate the beauty of it. This is your first concrete step into your desired line of work. All the studying you have done culminates in the moments ahead: taking care of people and making a significant difference in their lives. 

It will be hard. You can do it anyway. 


With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Sarah has been a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.


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.

Nurses Leaving Direct Patient Care – Where Will They Go?

A recent study from McKinsey & Company offers few surprises about the state of the nursing profession. The study highlights what many in healthcare have known for a long time: registered nurse jobs are plentiful because nurses are leaving direct patient care and there are not enough new nurses coming in to take their spots. However, the study does raise an interesting question.

If as many as one-third of all currently employed nurses plan to leave direct patient care, where will they go? There are non-clinical opportunities out there, but there may not be enough to keep all of them employed in nursing. More non-clinical jobs could be created, which could possibly help boost the number of new nurses being trained in the years to come.

Planning to Leave Soon

The McKinsey & Company survey questioned both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) about their plans for the future. Researchers noted that prior to the start of the COVID pandemic, new nursing licenses were up roughly 4% year-on-year. That probably would not have helped ease the nursing shortage even if the pandemic hadn’t reared its ugly head. But now, with the pandemic largely over, so few new nurses seeking licensing will barely make a dent in the problem.

That is because the pandemic has left some 30% of currently employed nurses reconsidering the commitment to remain in clinical care. By 2025, they expect to be in non-clinical positions or out of nursing altogether. That is a significant number by any measure. Any other industry losing 30% of its workforce would find itself in big trouble in short order. Healthcare already has its problems. Losing one-third of its nursing staff cannot be good.

Non-Clinical Job Options

So, what does the job market look like for nurses hoping to leave clinical work? LPNs are probably going to find it tougher to remain in nursing after a decision to leave direct patient care. RNs should have an easier time. Creating more registered nurse jobs in education would be a start.

According to McKinsey & Company, one of the reasons nursing schools are not producing enough new nurses is that there aren’t enough spots for all the students looking for an education. Expanding nursing programs is the obvious solution here. To do that, schools need to create more educator spots. The study also suggests creating more mentor programs whereby experienced RNs mentor smaller numbers of students as they work through the later stages of education.

Another suggestion in the McKinsey & Company report is that both government and the private sector find ways to make more use of registered nurses. What that would look like, in terms of job creation, is unclear. But if keeping RNs employed in nursing after leaving clinical work is the goal, jobs need to be created somewhere.

Rethinking Healthcare Profits

There is no arguing that RN and LPN jobs or readily available. Employers cannot fill them fast enough. But with more nurses planning to leave clinical work within the next few years, something must be done to keep hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices operating. Perhaps it is time to rethink profit. Maybe it is time for the industry to accept lower profits in exchange for more nurses who really just want lighter workloads, more flexible schedules, and a bump in pay.

We have been talking about the nurse shortage for some time now. Continuing to talk about it will not change anything. If we really want to prevent one-third of our nurses from leaving clinical work, we need to get serious about addressing their motivations for doing so.

Searching for Medical Jobs: Going Where the Money Is

Despite the modern workforce wanting more than just good pay and benefits, there is no getting around the fact that people want to be paid what they feel they are worth. Healthcare workers are not an exception to the rule. It is with that in mind that looking at the top job markets for healthcare workers gets interesting. Some markets definitely pay more than others.

 Becker’s Hospital Review recently released a list of the highest paying job markets for healthcare workers in the U.S., based on data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). Most of what the data shows isn’t surprising. But there are a few hidden gems in the numbers.

 It is reasonable to assume that job seekers on the hunt for medical jobs might consider salary and benefits first. After that, they might look at things like location and work environment. Moreover, it could be that the majority of American workers do not necessarily want to pick up and move just to make more money.

 Top Locations for Nurses

 The first category examined by Becker’s was registered nurses (RNs). We already know that RNs are in high demand across the country. But where do they earn the most money? Apparently, it’s in California. All the top spots on the Becker’s list are found in the Golden State. Here they are:

  •  San Jose – $155,230
  • San Francisco – $151,640
  • Vallejo-Fairfield – $146,360
  • Santa Rosa – $141,440
  • Napa – $139,680.

 California seems like the place to be if you are a registered nurse hoping to maximize your paycheck. That’s curious, considering that supply and demand heavily influences salary and benefits. What is it about California that appears to make it more difficult to recruit registered nurses there?

 Advanced Practice Nurses

 Becker’s Hospital Review took the approach of dividing advanced practice nurses into two categories: nurse practitioners and physician assistants. That could be due to the fact that the top paying locations for both are different. NPs are paid most in four of the same five cities listed in the RN category. For the fifth city, just remove Santa Rosa and insert Yuba City. San Jose keeps the top spot at $197,870.

 PAs apparently make the most in the joint cities of Portsmouth, NH and Portsmouth, ME. There, they earn roughly $167,240. The remaining four of the top five cities for PAs are:

  •  Panama City, FL – $165,000
  • San Francisco – $164,150
  • San Jose – $163,720
  • Vallejo-Fairfield, CA – $162,030.
  •  California still commands three of the top five spots for physician assistants. So far, the Golden State appears to be the destination of choice for high paying medical jobs.

 Top Locations for Pharmacists

 Last on the list for Becker’s are pharmacists. If you are guessing that California jobs pay the most, you are spot on. Here are the numbers:

  •  San Jose – $168,640
  • San Francisco – $163,840
  • Santa Rosa – $158,420
  • Vallejo-Fairfield – $156,850
  • Santa Cruz – $152,770.

 It is clear that medical jobs pay extremely well in California. We just don’t quite know why. We cannot discount supply and demand but getting a clear picture would also require looking at things like median income, cost of living, and so forth. Just because healthcare workers make more money in California doesn’t mean they enjoy a higher standard of living. Things cost more on the West coast as well.

 At any rate, if you are in the hunt for medical jobs, California has plenty to offer. So do most other states. Take a good look around our job board and see what you can find. With so many jobs available in nearly every healthcare sector, you’re bound to find something that suits 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.

That Moment You Realize the Doctor Is a Wannabe Rock Star

Search as many physician jobs as you want on our job board, and we’re betting you won’t find any that require musical skills. Musical ability has nothing to do with providing quality medical care. But that has not stopped a group of physicians in suburban Chicago from not only learning to play, but also using their musical talents to thank nurses and support staff.

 Imagine that moment the staff realized some of their doctors were wannabe rock stars. Imagine seeing a doctor you work closely with, day after day, doing his best Jimmy Buffet impression – just to make you smile. What recently happened at Central DuPage Hospital undoubtedly made a lot of people happy. The healthcare industry needs more of it.

 Plenty of Bad News

 We do not have to look far to find bad news in healthcare. There is plenty of it. From physician burnout to nurses leaving clinical work in droves, we could spend all day focusing on the problems. Those problems do need some attention, but they shouldn’t command all of our attention. There is more than enough good to focus on.

 Some of that good was tapped into by Northwestern Medicine’s Dr. Anthony F. Altimari, M.D. According to the Daily Harald, Altimari’s love of music goes beyond just the music itself. He finds it therapeutic. When the stresses of his profession start getting to him, he picks up his guitar and goes to town.

Altimari is apparently not alone. He has made it his mission to encourage colleagues at Central DuPage to do the same thing. Many of them have. So much so that a bunch of them got together and put on a concert for hospital staff. The concert was a way for them to show their appreciation for how hard nurses and support staff worked during the COVID pandemic.

 Doctors Are People Too

 Physician jobs are a dime a dozen. That being the case, it is easy for the rest of us to forget that doctors are people too. They have families to take care of. They have bills to pay, houses to maintain, and cars that need to go into the shop for work. They also have their dreams and ambitions outside of medicine.

 Some of the nursing staff at Central DuPage were probably shocked to discover that the doctors they work with are also wannabe rock stars. But why should that be so unusual? Music is universal. People love it wherever you go. Furthermore, far more people possess musical talent than actually use it to benefit others.

 Your surgeon may have the steadiest hands in the business. And if so, you probably appreciate that. But perhaps those same hands are capable of performing guitar licks that would rival anything Jimmy Hendrix produced. Then again, maybe your highly skilled surgeon couldn’t carry a note in a bucket. You just don’t know.

 The Good Side of Medicine

 If nothing else, nurses and support staff at Central DuPage recently got a break from their stressful jobs. They got to enjoy the good side of medicine brought to them by a group of rocker doctors who just happen to be very good on their instruments. What a sight that must have been for the staff.

 Are you currently on the hunt for good physician jobs? If so, remember that there is more to life than work. Do whatever job you eventually land to the best of your ability. But do not hesitate to pursue other interests as well. You might be able to use those interests to do something good for others.


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.

Permanent or Travel: Registered Nurse Jobs Are Plentiful

Is it appropriate to say that the current nursing shortage is unprecedented? Perhaps. But even if it isn’t, there is one thing that cannot be argued: registered nurse jobs are plentiful. The latest estimate suggests more than half-a-million vacant jobs. That number could realistically exceed one million by the end of 2022.

 We could try to explain why that is, but the reasons are less important than the fact that hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices are hurting right now. The thing the industry has to focus on now is finding ways to recruit more nursing candidates. Simply put, America needs more people going into nursing than ever before.

 As for already licensed nurses, they really do have the pick of the litter. If there were ever a candidate’s market, we are in it now. There are so many registered nurse jobs waiting to be filled that candidates can pretty much write their own tickets.

 Permanent Placement Jobs

 Feel free to browse our job board and you will find thousands of unfilled registered nurse jobs. Search by state or city. Search by job type. Create your own custom search based on whatever criteria is most important to you. The point is that there will be no shortage of returns. Click the ‘search’ button and you will have tons of jobs to look through.

 These are mostly permanent placement jobs. Some are found at hospitals in major cities and rural towns alike. Some of the hospitals are big, others are small. Others are affiliated with medical schools while others are not. The point is that you have choices.

 You will also find job openings in local clinics and doctors’ offices. You’ll even find registered nurse positions involving education and training. Again, there is just so much for you to choose from.

 Travel Nursing Jobs

 If you prefer to go the travel nursing route, rest assured plenty of those jobs are available as well. Travel nursing was already taking off before the start of the COVID pandemic, but the pandemic sent things into overdrive. Healthcare facilities around the country are now using travel nurses to fill conventional positions because they cannot find enough candidates willing to be hired permanently.

 Travel nursing is obviously not for everybody. It is not just a job, it’s actually a lifestyle. For some, it is the perfect lifestyle that mixes work with a love for travel. Yet others find it too wearying and taxing. It’s really a matter of personal choice.

 A Job Board Is One Tool

 Your search for registered nurse jobs will probably take many forms. We get that. A job board is just one tool you will use to locate your next position. But definitely use it. Our job board can be your central location for searching. It is also a great tool for submitting applications and resumes. Because we put everything you need in one place, we think you’ll find Health Jobs Nationwide efficient and easy to use.

 When you do get a lead on a job, do not just submit your resume and hope for the best. Be proactive. Try to make a second or third contact with the employer outside of the jobs board. Meanwhile, research the facility so you know what you’re dealing with when you get called for an interview.

 Registered nurse jobs are plentiful. For you, it is really a matter of finding one that meets your needs. With tens of thousands of jobs waiting to be filled, you are bound to find something. So keep your head up and keep looking. Your next job is right around the corner.


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.

Why America Needs Nurses Now More than Ever

It’s 2022 and COVID-19 and its variants still represent a massive threat to public health. At the same time, however, a nursing shortage threatens the effectiveness of healthcare solutions for the general public. Now, estimates suggest that 1.2 million more registered nurses (RNs) will be needed by 2030 to adequately serve the populace.

This flood of demand has made RNs America’s most wanted healthcare worker. Now, we need nurses more than ever. And yet, the causes of the nursing shortage continue to rage, limiting our ability to replace retiring nursing staff.

Facing major implications for public health, evaluating and solving these causes is essential. Understanding is the first step in a healthcare environment more inviting for professional nurses.

What is Causing the Nursing Shortage?

First, let’s look at some of the measurable causes of the nursing shortage. These are observed patterns in the data that reflect bottlenecks and challenges that may come to affect the way most of us receive care in the future, should the situation not improve. These causes include:

  1. The aging population. Lifespans, birthrates, and advancing medicine have all contributed to a changing demographic. By 2030, it’s estimated that one in five people will be a senior. This is an age group that requires more care and more nurses to care for them.
  2. Retiring nurses. Similarly, healthcare workers themselves are aging up. With one-third of the workforce age 50 or older, retirements are occurring faster than nursing staff can be replaced. This is a problem exacerbated by the next cause of the worsening nursing shortage.
  3. Limited newcomers. Nursing schools can only train so many people. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging on many learning institutions. The rate of new to retiring nurses isn’t enough to make up for lost workers, and patients are the worse for it.

All these causal factors were present in the healthcare industry even before the pandemic emerged, but COVID drove the shortage to new depths. That’s because pandemic conditions have redoubled our reliance on nursing staff and overburdened them to the point of frequent burnout.

In a survey of 6,500 critical care nurses, 66% said they were considering leaving their careers because of their COVID experiences. Meanwhile, 92% said that nurses at their hospitals had cut their careers short as a result of burnout. These numbers represent vital healthcare staff that we cannot afford to lose. And yet, the shortage is a looming threat impacting us all.

America is in desperate need of nurses but the conditions of the job as well as larger social factors make it exceptionally difficult to fill the gaps. Incentives and workloads have to be adjusted if we are to change these circumstances in the future.

In the meantime, what exactly are the implications of not enough nurses in our hospitals and care facilities? These will be the effects we’ll see play out unless this negative trend is disrupted.

The Effects of Not Enough Nurses

A world with too few nurses is a world in which no one should want to live. These care professionals fulfill many of the most important functions within a care institution. Without their work, being seen and treated for any and all health conditions would take longer and would be less effective. The consequences of such a reality would be negative for everyone involved — from the average patient to the doctor who would then have to take on a much greater burden.

As you explore the question of America’s nursing shortages, keep in mind the associated effects. These include:

  1. Longer care wait times and expenses. Nurses take care of just about all the care-related tasks that don’t require a doctor’s training to legally treat. This includes record-keeping and administrative functions. The fewer nurses available to check in with patients, move them along, and conduct vital care processes, the longer patients will have to wait for care. Meanwhile, relying on more highly trained medical staff for every procedure all but guarantees higher costs for patients.
  2. A lack of empathy in care. Empathy is essential to care. There is something healing in the simple act of a human being listening and being friendly, and nurses provide this empathy in heaps. Where it is applied in healthcare, empathy has been found to improve care satisfaction and even reduce burnout rates in hospital staff. However, human professionals are needed to practice empathy.
  3. A greater reliance on tech. Amidst nursing shortages, care practices are increasingly turning to tech to fill labor gaps. The implications of these tools are enormous. Chatbots, for instance, are taking down patient symptomsand computing diagnoses, sometimes with even greater efficiency than human workers. As these tools improve, some healthcare roles may even be automated out of existence.

A world with too few nurses presents too many challenges for society to accept. Instead, the industry looks to potential solutions for staffing and supporting care facilities while inspiring new generations of nurses. With a need this desperate, the healthcare industry must apply all the tools and tricks necessary to reduce nursing labor gaps.

A Life-Threatening Need

When it comes to healthcare, labor shortages present real risks to life and well-being. That’s why the 1.2 million nurses needed within the next eight years is a scary number. Without nurses, care is longer, worse, and more robotic. However, this last point may also be part of the solution.

Just as artificial intelligence presents certain risks to human workers (such as displacement), it can produce benefitsas well. Through automated data collection, chatbot interfaces, personal medical AI, and more, healthcare work is changing for the better. This means reduced workloads for nurses and potentially less-stressful work environments in which to care for patients.

The causes of the nursing shortage may be too widespread and human to fully correct. However, supportive technology may help to reduce the negative implications of this shortage and even encourage up-and-coming talent. Perhaps when nurses all have personal AIs to make the job easier, nursing schools won’t be able to handle the flood of compassionate individuals wanting to save lives and make a difference.

**Article Image Source: Pexels

         

      Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, activism-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter. 


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 Awesome Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Nursing

Nursing is a career where you can help save lives and provide necessary care for people of all ages during your daily work hours. There are few things that are as rewarding as a career in nursing and it doesn’t hurt that the pay is excellent as well.

If you have ever wanted to have a job where you could make a really big difference in people’s lives, you need to consider nursing. This is a career where you can help save lives and provide necessary care for people of all ages during your daily work hours. There are few things that are as rewarding as a career in nursing and it doesn’t hurt that the pay is excellent as well.

If you have been considering a career change to nursing, you might be wondering if there are other benefits that you can take advantage of. There are many reasons that nursing might be the career for you!

If you are ready to learn more about the benefits of pursuing a nursing career, you need to read on!

Awesome Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Nursing

1.       Helping People

Many nurses were originally attracted to the career due to the potential for their training to help save lives. Nurses are on the front line of medical care in every location that they are hired to work, from clinics to hospitals. Making a difference to the people that you care for is a daily occurrence for nurses.

If you value being able to help others and want to make this your life’s work, being a nurse is a great career choice for you to make!

2.       Earning Potential is High

Nurses are some of the best-paid professionals in the medical setting. The U.S. Bureau of Labors Statistics says that registered nurses can make around $75,000 a year. If you have specialized training or work night shifts or holidays, you might make even more.

This is a career that pays very well and offers a lot of room for continuing education with master’s degrees in nursing. If you have ever wanted to have a hands-on job that allowed you a lot of room to grow your income, this is the right career path for your needs!

3.       Demand is High

Nurses are always in demand. It is rare for any healthcare facility to have all the nurses that it needs on staff. This means that being a nurse will allow you job security that you would not have access to in many other fields and flexibility to choose when and where you work. You will also have the chance to work in many fields as a nurse, even with a basic nursing degree.

Traveling nurses are also very much in demand, so if you like to enjoy a change of pace throughout the year, you can become a traveling nurse and go where you are assigned. There are many exciting career styles within the nursing field so you can pick and choose where you work with ease.

4.       Flexible Schedules

Nursing is one of the most flexible careers in terms of scheduling. You will usually have the choice of various shifts that you want to work and once you have seniority you might be able to flex your time to work overtime for a month or so and then take a few weeks in a row off each year. There are many ways to make your nursing career suit your unique scheduling needs so that you can enjoy opportunities and trips that you would not have been able to take.

Many people are amazed at how flexible their schedule really can be and how much they can enjoy their vacation time when they are working in the nursing field. This is one of the few jobs that offers people this much control over their scheduled working hours and it is a big benefit to choosing a nursing career.

5.       Simple Wardrobe

If you have never wanted to have to buy work clothes and matching shoes and accessories, then this is the career for you! You will only need a few pairs of scrubs and you might even be provided these as part of your work contract when you are hired. Scrubs are simple to get into and out of and they are often cleaned by the laundry service at your place of employment.

This is one of the best careers for those who hate to buy work clothing and who do not want to have to dress in work slacks and polos every day. Having a simple set of shoes and your scrubs on hand can make dressing for your job easy every day!

6.       Trusted Professional

If you have always wanted to work in a job that comes with immediate trust and respect from most people, this is the right choice to make! Nurses are well-educated healthcare professionals and people think very highly of nurses for a whole variety of reasons. From inspiring kids to want to grow up to be like you to being well-thought-of in your community, this immediate bond of trust can be a very exciting part of choosing to be a nurse.

Many people can think of nurses and doctors that they have looked up to when they were younger or even consider them to be important advisors for their adult healthcare needs. You can join these professionals and work alongside them when you choose to get a nursing degree.

A Nursing Career Can be an Amazing Choice

There are many reasons that being a nurse might appeal to you. You will have access to great pay, really flexible work schedules, and a profession that is in high demand almost everywhere in the US. You will also be able to advance your career with ease through additional education. There are so many good reasons to be a nurse, and respect from your community might be a big factor in your considerations as well.

Choosing to be a nurse is often one of the most rewarding career changes that you can make. If you are ready to start making a difference in people’s lives while also earning a really good living, you need to start looking into getting your nursing degree today!

 

Gabe Nelson is a content specialist of over 7 years of experience, currently working with nurse.org. Just out of high school he set off crab fishing on the Bering sea in Alaska. From there he went back home to finish his college degree at the University of Montana. He has a passion and keen understanding when it comes to healthcare inside and out. He has written hundreds of content pieces in numerous niches.


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 Greatest Difficulties that Can Arise When Studying Medicine Abroad

Much like any other profession, you can master medical specializations while studying abroad. And people do it despite the difficulties of getting into such programs. In the US, for example, 3% of medical students come from other countries.

 

However, studying medicine abroad is as difficult as finding a program that will fit you in. International students can face many challenges, which are not easy to overcome.

 

What challenges?

 

Take a look.

1.   Language Barrier

Studying medicine doesn’t only mean being good at biology, chemistry, physics, and math. It is also about your ability to operate very specific terminology. And, if your knowledge of the language of the country where you’re going to is shaky, consider improving it first.

 

The reason is simple – you won’t have enough time to learn the language when your classes start. You will spend so much time studying for lectures and seminars that you will hardly have time to sleep. But such is the life of a medical student.

 

So, before you make any plans to study abroad, make sure you master the language. The best way to do it is to get yourself a native speaker. It’s not that expensive – for example, on Preply, you can find Portuguese tutors for as low as $5 an hour:

 

Why should you go for a native speaker?

 

You need someone who doesn’t just know the language and culture very well, but who also understands the medical and educational systems of the country you’re going to. This way, you will have a connection to keep in contact with if you encounter misunderstandings.

2.   No Shadowing Period

A shadowing period is a time you get at a potential workplace to go around observing doctors, nurses, and other medical staff and gaining valuable knowledge from it. Shadowing is essential in any job that requires a learning curve.

 

Unfortunately, not all medical programs can provide that. For instance, in the 2017 research, surveyed medical students in the UK shared that the lack of a shadowing period was one of the disadvantages of becoming a medical practitioner there.

 

So, before you apply for a program, do your research. Find whether you’ll have access to internships with shadowing periods and other opportunities to apply your knowledge in practice.

3.   Pressure During Exam Weeks

Medical school is stressful. A study that surveyed medical students around the Middle East has revealed most of them experienced severe stress and even considered leaving the studies altogether.

 

Since you will be responsible for saving people’s lives, you can’t take your education carelessly. The exam weeks will be the most challenging – even to get a simple pass, you will have to study tirelessly.

 

The worst part is that you will hardly have any support system. So, if you’re not ready for such stress, reconsider your choice of studying medicine. Or, think about going to a local college or university.

4.   Expensive Courses

Some colleges and universities abroad offer additional courses to students who want to further their education. Such courses aren’t necessary to attend to get a diploma, but they can be really helpful in your future career.

 

For instance, a workshop about AI in healthcare can give you valuable knowledge and advance your career path, especially if you want to be a surgeon. Adding such qualifications to your CV will help you stand out in the job market.

 

That said, such courses can be very expensive. For instance, a course on AI in healthcare services at MIT costs $2,800. So, consider such expenses before enrolling in a medical school and put some money aside to be able to get extra skills and expand your knowledge.

Over to You

These are only a few examples of difficulties a medical student can encounter when studying abroad. Of course, there are other problems, like difficulties to adapt, ethical differences, etc. You need to be mentally and emotionally ready for the lack of moral support as well, as your parents and friends will be far away from you.

 

But no worries, all these challenges are manageable. Every college and university has a department helping international students adjust and get everything they need to keep up with the studies. So, it would be wise to contact this department before you set off to start your studies – they will help you prepare everything you need to start your first semester stress-free.

 

Article written by Ryan Pell

Ryan is a passionate blogger and writer who likes sharing his thoughts. He works as a content editor and internet researcher and likes to travel and explore new countries.

 


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.