Rick Chasteen

The nursing talent shortage in the United States is truly a crisis. There are over 100,000 less nurses in the workforce in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels and universities don't have the capacity or programs to accelerate the growth needed. This is a great article that articulates these challenges but offers solutions to bridge the talent gap. #nursingstaffing #healthcarejobs #outsourcing #recruitingtrends

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California Faces the Largest (current) Nurse Shortage in the U.S. States like California and Texas are facing the largest nurse shortages per capita, according to Becker's Hospital Review. This stark disparity highlights the importance of regional recruitment strategies in healthcare staffing. How is your organization addressing these geographic challenges to ensure quality patient care? https://lnkd.in/g9BEqv-t #HealthcareStaffing #TalentAcquisition #NurseShortage

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At the beginning of 2024, I made several predictions about where the healthcare staffing industry was headed. With the end of the year quickly approaching, it’s time to review those forecasts and see how well they held up. https://lnkd.in/giaU9hhj 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. I anticipated high demand, and that's exactly what we’ve seen. Job openings for travel nurses are at some of the highest levels in recent memory. Nursing demand remains strong, however, there has been a reduction in the candidate pool as many nurses and healthcare professionals have retired, re-retired post-covid, or moved back to permanent positions as hospitals increased their compensation to keep up with demand. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐰ill 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡. As projected, allied health and therapy fields saw remarkable growth in 2024. These sectors have been leading the charge, closely followed by locum tenens positions, which also saw strong demand. Not only that, but I predicted an increase in healthcare professionals pursuing additional education, and that’s held true. Whether through traditional schooling or new certifications, many are investing in their development, often branching out into online platforms like Coursera. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟑: 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬. Here’s where we were surprised – rural markets are experiencing an all-time high in demand, especially in home health and skilled nursing facilities for therapy and nursing. We didn’t predict just how significant this need would become, but it’s a clear area of growth. To round out the year, I believe that the growth curve in nursing will continue, gradually, with a potential jump by Q3 of 2025. In the meantime, Ventura MedStaff focus is on diversifying our business model and exploring new verticals to better serve both our travelers and clients. I’d love to hear others’ opinions on how they think the year has gone, and what are your predictions for the future?

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A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the ongoing closures of Labor & Delivery Departments in California hospitals. I mentioned that California is often a harbinger of broader trends—and it seems this is another example. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR), a national policy center focused on designing and implementing innovations in healthcare payment and delivery, over the past two years, more than 50 rural hospitals across the country have stopped delivering babies. This has contributed to the staggering 57% of rural U.S. hospitals that lack labor and delivery services. While the closures in California were troubling, they weren’t catastrophic, as many of the affected hospitals were in communities with alternative resources. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for rural hospitals. Often, these facilities are the only healthcare option for hundreds of miles. Of the 967 hospitals designated as “Rural Hospitals,” nearly 40% are operating at a financial loss. This means not only are maternity services at risk, but patient care for entire communities is also under threat. Over the last 20 years, CMS has implemented several programs to support rural hospitals: - Establishment of Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs): Emergency care without inpatient requirements. - Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program: Grants and aid for CAHs. - Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Support: CMS provides cost-based reimbursement to sustain care. - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program: Tests cost-based payments for larger rural hospital viability. - Addressing Rural Health Inequities: The Rural Health Council improves access, equity, and rural healthcare innovation. These initiatives have been lifelines for rural hospitals, saving critical healthcare services in nearly 1,000 communities. However, as the landscape evolves, it’s clear that new solutions are needed to sustain these vital institutions. Here are the top 5 ideas being discussed in healthcare circles to save rural hospitals: - Expanding Telehealth Services: It’s no longer the future—it’s here, and embracing it now is essential. - Forming Strategic Partnerships: Not my favorite solution, as rural hospitals are unique, and large health systems aren’t always flexible. - Enhancing Operational Efficiency: While ideal, there’s only so much you can squeeze from limited resources. - Advocating for Policy Reforms: The most critical—we need healthcare reform from top to bottom. Rural hospitals are the glue that holds countless communities together, providing essential care where no alternatives exist. Without bold, innovative solutions, we risk losing not just maternity services but entire lifelines for millions of Americans. The time to act is now.

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Travel Nurse Pay by State: Are Bill Rates Reflecting the Drop in Pay? Hospital leaders, let's address a critical question: travel nurse pay. Becker's Hospital Review recently highlighted the significant variations in travel nurse pay across different states. Understanding these trends is essential for developing competitive, effective staffing solutions that ensure quality care while managing costs. Are your current bill rates keeping pace with the changes in travel nurse pay? I'd like to discuss your experiences and strategies for navigating this evolving landscape. https://lnkd.in/gjdmuva8

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Teamwork really does make the dream work 👏🏼 Shoutout to the most smart-working, dedicated, and successful group of individuals that I get to work with each day. From social>sourcing>recruiting>onboarding, to exceeding the loftiest of goals (iykyk), good days, bad days and everything in between, this is #TEAMSAMC! #samccareers #nationalhealthcarerecruiterrecognition

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The healthcare industry is seeing a resurgence of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in hospitals! Here's why: Addressing Staffing Shortages: As hospitals face nursing shortages, LPNs and CNAs are stepping in to fill critical roles and ensure patient care continuity. Cost-Effective Care: Hiring LPNs and CNAs can help hospitals manage costs while maintaining high-quality patient care. Enhanced Patient Support: These professionals provide essential bedside care, improving patient experiences and outcomes. Flexible Workforce: LPNs and CNAs offer flexibility, allowing hospitals to adapt to varying patient care demands. In the past, many hospitals moved away from employing LPNs and CNAs, often favoring Registered Nurses (RNs) to streamline roles and meet regulatory requirements. However, this shift led to increased costs and strained nursing staff. Now, by reintegrating LPNs and CNAs, hospitals are creating more robust and versatile care teams, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. At MedPro, we're assisting hospitals nationwide with finding quality clinical talent, including LPNs and CNAs. Our commitment to delivering skilled professionals helps healthcare facilities navigate staffing challenges and provide exceptional care. #HealthcareStaffing #LPNs #CNAs #HospitalCare #PatientSupport #HealthcareInnovation #MedPro

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Practitioners are expected to see a growth rate of about 52% from 2019 to 2029—the quickest in the healthcare field, leading to more shortages. 📈 A Mercer Report in 2024 predicts almost every state will experience a shortage of NPs by 2028, with California and New York facing the largest deficits. This shortage could disrupt preventive care for patients due to the combined impact of physician and NP shortages. How can your organization address this challenge? Here are some key steps to consider: - Understand specific supply/demand risks by occupation and department - Strengthen your worker pipeline with internal and external solutions, focusing on diversity - Work on retaining your current talent - Evaluate job requirements, descriptions, etc., balancing automated tasks with those done by humans - Advocate for expanding Scope of Practice laws for NPs in your state (as appropriate). Preparing for the future and proactively addressing these shortages will be crucial for ensuring quality healthcare delivery. #NursePractitioners #WorkforcePlanning #TheTalentDoctor

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While interviewing Healthcare Recruiters, we generally notice some common gaps.   Follow ESI (Healthcare Division) to learn more and gain deeper insights into Healthcare Staffing. #Quickfacts #healthcare #staffingandrecruitment #interview #interviewquestions

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Have you considered using offshore recruitment services for your healthcare staffing firm? If not, it's worth noting that many of your competitors may already be doing so. Do you think this could be putting your firm at a disadvantage? 📉 💲 IMS People Possible has been around for 18 years and we have over 50% of the companies we work with in the healthcare staffing space. 🚑 We also have a 96% client retention rate! 🤝 🚀 Connect with me today to see how IMS People Possible can be a gamechanger for your organization. #healthcarestaffing #workforcesolutions #locumtenens #medicalstaffing #staffingsolutions

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Here is an article from SIA. I am one that is hoping that the Travel RN market has turned. That said, it is premature to consider this fact. Medical Solutions is a good firm but this is only one data point and one opinion. The downturn in Nursing was severe enough that it will take more than this small improvement to make me believe. In the mean-time, keep working your system, building client relationships and add Locums to your service offering. https://lnkd.in/gyCj4Py5

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Unfilled healthcare positions can cost you more than just revenue. Understaffing leads to increased stress, decreased knowledge sharing, and frustration among the remaining staff. Investing in efficient recruitment processes and competitive compensation can help you attract and retain top talent, ultimately saving you money in the long run. #EmployeeRetention #RecruitmentMatters #CB3Connections

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As a recruiter, I see firsthand how continuing education helps medical coders stay ahead in the industry. Ongoing learning not only enhances skills but also keeps everyone up to date with the latest changes. What resources do you use to stay updated? Let’s share some tips! #ContinuingEducation #MedicalCoding #InpatientCoding #RemoteCoders #AHIMA #HealthcareProfessionals

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