How To Get Ahead of Staffing Shortages in 2023

Healthcare staffing shortages are a pressing issue in the industry, and it's crucial to tackle this problem head-on to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. In 2023, the shortage of healthcare professionals is expected to escalate, with an aging population and a growing demand for medical services.

In recent years, staffing shortages have escalated mental health concerns for healthcare workers. Mental Health America surveyed 1,119 healthcare workers and found that 93% were experiencing stress, 86% reported experiencing anxiety, 76% reported exhaustion and burnout, and 75% said they were overwhelmed. There are various reasons why healthcare workers are experiencing mental health problems, some of which include being short-staffed and overworked.

Here are some strategies that can help your facility get ahead of this problem and ensure that your healthcare organization has the rested staff it needs to meet patient needs:

• Invest in Recruitment and Retention Efforts

One of the best ways to combat staffing shortages is to invest in recruitment and retention efforts. This can include offering competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and benefits packages, as well as creating a positive work environment. You can also consider offering sign-on bonuses and tuition reimbursement for employees who pursue further education in their field.

• Encourage Career Advancement

By providing opportunities for career advancement, you can encourage employees to stay with your organization for the long term. Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership positions to help employees develop their skills and reach their full potential.

• Utilize Technology

Technology can play a big role in addressing staffing shortages in healthcare. Implementing electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and other technological advancements can help increase efficiency and streamline processes, freeing up staff to focus on patient care. 

          FleetNurse recognized this need and has introduced a new SaaS staffing solution, Cascade FN, designed to help hospitals address the ongoing staffing shortage by helping automate certain processes like scheduling and timekeeping. Using smart technology and providing real-time data and analytics to optimize staffing patterns and make adjustments, Cascade FN helps hospitals increase efficiency, reduce the need for overtime and agency staff, and increase the use of internal staff, ultimately reducing labor costs. 

• Foster Collaboration and Communication

Effective communication and collaboration between staff members can help reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction. Encourage team-building activities and regular meetings to improve communication and foster a positive work environment. Cascade FN features a community "break room" for communication with staff. This allows staff to communicate and collaborate more effectively, reducing delays and interruptions in the delivery of care.

• Utilize a Labor Partner

In cases where it's difficult to fill a vacancy with a permanent employee, utilizing external labor can be a viable solution. Using travel nurses and Per Diem Staff can provide your organization with access to qualified professionals on an as-needed basis, helping to fill gaps in your staffing levels and giving your internal staff the breaks they need.

FleetNurse specializes in building & managing flex pools for last-minute, emergency healthcare staffing needs. FleetNurse is there when you need it most with RNs, LVNs, CNAs, and more. All are credentialed to the standards of the Joint Commission and ready to work with as little as an hour's notice. Healthcare professionals are allowed to work on a schedule that works for them, while healthcare facilities can fill shifts at the last minute.

The good news is, job growth will continue to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth rate for registered nurses through 2031 is 6%. However, there is a bottleneck in nursing schools, as there are limitations on budget, faculty, and staff. AACN’s report on 2019-2020 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 80,407 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2019 due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and clinical preceptors, as well as budget constraints.

Healthcare staffing shortages are a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted approach to solve. By investing in recruitment and retention efforts, encouraging career advancement, utilizing technology, fostering collaboration and communication, and utilizing labor partners like FleetNurse, you can help ensure that your healthcare organization has the staff it needs to provide quality patient care.

More about FleetNurse

FleetNurse helps improve staffing levels and reduces staffing-related costs for facilities while providing nurses and nursing assistants flexibility in their work lives. Using innovation and technology, FleetNurse has become a trusted labor partner that helps health systems streamline the process of getting open shifts filled by the right person at the right time. 

Read more here about new, fully integrated technology that can streamline your shift management and automate filling open shifts using your internal staff first.