2024 was a wild ride for healthcare staffing. Pay rates stayed high, the gig economy grew, and telehealth became even more important. Now, as we move into 2025, healthcare facilities need to stay ahead of the game to keep up with industry changes. Here’s what we learned in 2024 and what’s coming next!
What 2024 Taught Us About Healthcare Staffing
1. Pay Rates Are Still High
Even though the pandemic is over, healthcare pay rates haven’t dropped back down. The demand for skilled providers is still high, especially in specialized care, making top talent more expensive than ever. Hospitals and clinics must adapt their budgets to attract and keep the best clinicians.
2. More Surgeries Are Moving Out of Hospitals
Hospitals are losing surgeries to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). In 2019, only 6.5% of knee replacements were done in ASCs, but that number is expected to hit 35% soon. This means hospitals must compete harder to keep orthopedic, cardiovascular, and surgical patients.
3. Convenient Care Clinics Are Growing Fast
People don’t want to wait for doctor visits. Urgent care centers and retail clinics are booming, and advanced practice providers (APPs) are stepping up to fill the gaps. This is helping underserved areas get better access to healthcare.
4. Telemedicine Is No Longer Optional
Telehealth isn’t slowing down. More patients now prefer virtual visits—especially in primary care, dermatology, psychiatry, and pediatrics. Even specialties once considered impossible for telemedicine are now seeing major growth in remote care options.
5. The Workforce Is Aging
More clinicians are retiring than ever before. At the same time, fewer new doctors and nurses are entering the field, leaving massive gaps in the workforce. Hospitals and clinics need strategies now to keep staffing levels strong.
6. The Gig Economy Is Reshaping Healthcare
Flexibility is king. More doctors and APPs are choosing contract work over full-time jobs. Employers who embrace flexible staffing models will have a big advantage.
7. Changing Healthcare Laws Will Affect Staffing
Elections and policy shifts impact healthcare funding, labor rules, and reimbursement rates. Organizations must stay informed to keep up with new regulations that affect hiring and operations.
What’s Coming in 2025?
🔹 Staffing Will Be More Competitive – Demand for physicians, nurses, and APPs is expected to grow another 12%. Organizations must be aggressive in hiring to stay ahead.
🔹 Smarter Workforce Strategies – Data-driven workforce planning will be critical. Tech tools that analyze staffing trends and predict hiring needs will help facilities stay efficient.
🔹 Faster Access to Experts – Healthcare facilities will rely more on on-demand experts to fill staffing gaps quickly. A strong network of professionals will be the key to providing top patient care.
How to Win in 2025
Success in 2025 means being flexible, fast, and forward-thinking. The best organizations will: ✅ Use technology to improve workforce planning
✅ Offer flexible contracts to attract top talent
✅ Stay ahead of trends in telemedicine and outpatient care
At PhysicianWork.com, we help healthcare facilities find the best clinicians fast. Need to fill shifts? Looking for top providers? We’ve got you covered.
📩 Get in touch today and let’s build a winning team for 2025!