Why Work in Healthcare in 2023 & Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a trying time for the healthcare industry, with workers often facing grueling shifts and added stress as they care for their communities. This has led to healthcare workers everywhere asking themselves the same question: why stay in healthcare?

Despite the challenging working conditions of healthcare workers over the past three years, there are several reasons to remain in healthcare in 2023 and beyond. From increased job stability and pay transparency to flexible schedules and career progression opportunities, working in healthcare today offers a variety of benefits that may not have been available in the past. This article will explore some of these advantages and discuss why now may be the perfect time to consider entering or staying in healthcare, especially as the working conditions of healthcare workers improve.

Why Did People Leave? The Working Conditions of Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Before discussing the reasons to work in healthcare, it's important to address the elephant in the room: why did so many healthcare workers leave the industry during the pandemic?

The pandemic changed the working conditions of healthcare workers and healthcare hiring trends in ways that made it difficult for some to stay. Some healthcare workers were subjected to long hours, additional stress, and a lack of job stability due to frequent reassignments and increased travel restrictions. Many others, though, took the opportunity to retire early or change career paths due to underlying health conditions. The pandemic brought to the forefront the true risks of being a healthcare worker: being in close contact with transmittable health conditions. For some, the fear and risk were too great to continue in the healthcare industry.

For others, though, the pandemic brought forth new healthcare industry trends and opportunities they had never considered or had been waiting to pursue. For example, the pandemic increased the availability of work-from-home jobs that allowed parents and other caregivers to earn a livable wage while being present and available for their loved ones. For others, this opened a door to increase their flexibility in visiting family or travelling for personal reasons. Without taking time off work, they were able to travel outside work hours and work from various remote locations. These are things that previous working conditions of healthcare workers made very difficult to attain.

In a post-pandemic world, the healthcare industry is also trending toward serving employees better. Increased focus on core positions over travelers, pay transparency as the norm rather than the exception, and a renewed emphasis on career progression are all encouraging signs and reasons to work in healthcare.

Top 9 Reasons to Work in Healthcare in 2023

As the healthcare industry continues to adjust and respond to the changes brought about by the pandemic, there are more reasons than ever to consider working in healthcare. Here are nine of the top reasons to stay in healthcare:

1. Job stability
2. Flexible schedules
3. Improved pay transparency
4. Renewed focus on core positions
5. Career progression opportunities
6. Technology upgrades
7. Sign-on bonuses
8. Enhanced safety measures
9. Mental health support

1. Job Stability

Healthcare workers are in demand now more than ever, with the healthcare sector's share of the global gross domestic product (GDP) expected to increase significantly over the next decade. Not to mention, there is a current shortage of qualified healthcare workers, meaning stability and job security are likely to remain strong healthcare industry trends.

This is an important reason to work in healthcare for those who are just beginning their careers or for those who want to switch career paths. With increased job stability, healthcare workers can rest assured that their jobs are secure and that they can continue in their chosen professions without fear of being let go.

2. Flexible Schedules

As another positive healthcare hiring trend, many healthcare facilities now offer flexible scheduling options that allow employees to customize their working hours. This is leading to improved job satisfaction and a better work-life balance. How this works may depend on your specific discipline and setting, but an increase in telehealth, managed care, and home care services are encouraging healthcare industry trends for more customized and personalized working arrangements.

For those with children or aging parents, flexible hours can make it possible to take care of their families while still managing a full-time career in healthcare. For those who desire to travel often, flexible scheduling can make it possible to do so without having to put your career on hold. For caregivers with a heart for service, this healthcare hiring trend can be a great reason to work in healthcare.

3. Improved Pay Transparency

During the pandemic, pay transparency was one of many ways healthcare organizations sought to retain their current staff. Pay transparency is now becoming a healthcare industry trend, with organizations replacing traditional pay structures with new approaches that clarify how wages are determined.

This increased transparency can help ensure that healthcare workers receive fair compensation for their work and encourage a culture of equity and respect. It also means healthcare job seekers have more bargaining power in advocating for their desired salary when interviewing with a potential employer. If the competition pays more, they can negotiate a comparable salary with a new (or even existing) employer. While salary alone is not a reason to work in healthcare, this healthcare industry trend makes it a good possibility you can live comfortably while pursuing your passion for service.

4. Renewed Focus on Core Positions

The pandemic has put a renewed focus on core positions rather than travelers or temporary workers. Pre-pandemic, travel or temporary staff were used to cover staffing gaps, but the travel restrictions and social distancing measures of the pandemic made it difficult to fill vacancies in this way. This means that the new healthcare industry trend is to look for more permanent solutions - leading to increased job security for healthcare workers who are willing to commit long-term to their positions.

It also means greater respect for your loyalty to the organization. Pre-pandemic, the healthcare industry was trending toward cutting many loyalty benefits such as pensions, retention bonuses, and other benefits in favor of part time workers and temporary pay rates. Now organizations are recognizing the importance of investing in their employees to ensure a steady pool of experienced workers remains present no matter the global conditions.

5. Career Progression Opportunities

With the mass exodus of healthcare workers, organizations received the message loud and clear: employees want a clear path for career progression. Similar to the call for loyalty benefits, healthcare organizations are now looking for ways to reward their employees and give them an opportunity to advance in the organization.

As a result, healthcare organizations are now offering more opportunities to advance their employees’ careers through in-house training, new job titles and promotions, or even tuition assistance for continued education in the field. This means healthcare workers are being evermore supported by their employing organization to pursue opportunities for career growth and success.

6. Technology Upgrades

While the pandemic itself was very difficult for healthcare workers, it was also a catalyst for technological upgrades and investments in hospital information systems. This means that healthcare workers have access to new tools and resources that make their jobs easier and more efficient.

For example, telehealth technology and remote patient monitoring systems allow healthcare workers to provide better, more timely care and communicate more efficiently. Additionally, EHR systems are (finally) becoming more user friendly, allowing for a faster and more accurate medical record keeping process – with a focus on spending less time documenting and more time with your patients.

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7. Sign-On Bonuses

Who doesn't love a sign-on bonus? Healthcare hiring is trending more and more towards sign-on bonuses as the norm to attract skilled professionals, providing a financial incentive for staying in the field. These bonuses will range in amount but could be another leverage point for negotiation since many companies advertise their sign-on bonus amount.

However, remember that many of these bonuses come with a contract for working a set time period. This is to encourage loyalty to the organization and avoid employees "jumping ship" before the healthcare organization has reached a return on their investment in training and onboarding them.

8. Enhanced Safety Measures

In response to the pandemic, healthcare industry trends also include enhanced safety protocols and measures to protect their employees. This may include additional training, PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements, social distancing protocols, and improved ventilation systems. This means healthcare workers can be more confident that their employers will protect their personal safety and respond appropriately to concerns brought forth.

9. Mental Health Support

Healthcare organizations now recognize the importance of mental health support for workers, offering programs to help them cope with the emotional toll of their jobs. While there have always been employee assistance programs at many healthcare organizations, these programs were often poorly funded and largely overlooked.

Now, healthcare organizations are recognizing the importance of investing in mental health support for their employees and providing more resources to do so. These programs may include counseling services, stress management classes, or other forms of emotional support - all of which can help healthcare workers better manage the psychological impact of working in this field.

Positive Healthcare Hiring Trends: Improving Working Conditions of Healthcare Workers

With all these healthcare hiring trends, workers now have more incentive than ever before to stay in the profession. From career growth opportunities and sign-on bonuses to technological upgrades and mental health support, there are many reasons why working in healthcare is still a great decision – even during these uncertain times.

Ultimately, it comes down to understanding what matters most when deciding to stay in healthcare – and with the right employer, you can make a career of it. iHire is here to help you find the perfect job fit for your unique skill set. Check out our Resource Center for more information on how to find your ideal healthcare career.