It is no secret that healthcare recruiting has become exponentially competitive. However, with unemployment numbers dipping to new lows and an aging population awaiting to receive extended care, HR professionals may not only struggle to find qualified healthcare candidates but also strive to retain their top talent for years to come.
Healthcare is now the largest employer in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics had estimated that the healthcare industry would make up the largest share of jobs in the United States by 2020. However, healthcare beat those projections and became the biggest employer in Q4 of 2017, surpassing manufacturing and retail for the first time in American history. (Source: The Atlantic)
The increase in healthcare jobs comes primarily as a result of the aging Baby Boomer generation, further compounded by the expanded insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and higher standards for care. Despite being the fastest growing industry, the supply of qualified healthcare workers is not expected to keep up with demand, which spells large-scale shortages in talent pools across the US.