Tag: np staffing

Why Rural Hospitals Are Struggling to Recruit Physicians — And How to Solve It in 2025

Posted on June 5, 2025 by admin admin

Rural hospitals are the backbone of healthcare in many parts of the U.S. — yet in 2025, staffing challenges continue to deepen. Physician recruitment in rural areas is reaching a crisis point. If your hospital or clinic is struggling to hire physicians or advanced practice providers (APPs), you’re not alone — but there are proven strategies that can help.

The State of Rural Healthcare Staffing in 2025

Rural healthcare shortages are well documented. Since 2010, more than 136 rural hospitals have closed across the U.S. Many others are operating under severe financial stress.
Source: UNC Rural Hospital Closures

In a recent national survey, 69% of rural hospital CEOs identified physician recruitment as their top challenge. Burnout, retirements, and fewer young physicians choosing rural practice are driving this widening gap.
Source: Navigant Rural Hospital CEO Survey

Where Physician Shortages Are Hitting Hardest

Physician shortages are impacting rural areas nationwide, but certain regions face especially critical gaps:

• Southeast: States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia are struggling to recruit primary care physicians and specialists for rural counties. Many counties in these states are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for primary care.
• Midwest: Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri report increasing shortages in family medicine and internal medicine, especially as older physicians retire.
• Upper Midwest / Plains: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana face severe gaps in OB/GYN, general surgery, and emergency medicine coverage.
• Southwest: New Mexico and West Texas rural hospitals are competing for a small pool of bilingual and culturally competent providers to serve rural and Native American populations.
• Appalachia: Regions of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee face unique barriers in recruiting due to geographic isolation and persistent poverty.

In many of these areas, the gap extends beyond physicians to include nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — key parts of the modern rural care model.

New Opportunities and Incentives

Fortunately, new programs are emerging to help address these shortages.

The Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act, passed by the U.S. Senate in 2024, provides:

• Expanded loan forgiveness for rural-serving providers
• New training programs focused on rural practice
• Increased funding for rural residency programs

Additionally, many states are offering incentives such as:

• Tax credits for rural healthcare workers
• Loan repayment programs
• Support for telehealth infrastructure to supplement on-site care

Solutions for Rural Hiring in 2025

What can rural hospitals do today to stay competitive in this challenging hiring environment?

1. Leverage Guaranteed Placement Programs
   Working with a staffing partner that offers guaranteed placements and 90-day replacement policies reduces risk and ensures continuity of care.
2. Expand the Provider Model
   Many successful rural facilities use team-based models that combine physicians with nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to extend care capacity.
3. Use Flexible Contracts
   Offering permanent, locum-to-permanent, or flexible arrangements can attract providers who are open to rural practice but value flexibility.
4. Partner with a Dedicated Rural Staffing Agency
   Momentum Healthcare Staffing specializes in helping rural hospitals and clinics recruit:

• Physicians (Primary Care + Specialty)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
• Physician Assistants (PAs)
• Flexible contract options
• Guaranteed placements with a 90-day replacement policy
• Discounted rates on first 10 assignments

Final Thoughts

Rural healthcare leaders are facing historic staffing challenges — but there are solutions. Whether your facility is in the Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Southwest, or Appalachia, Momentum Healthcare Staffing can help you recruit qualified, committed providers to serve your community.

Let’s build your rural care team today.
Contact us: https://momentumhcs.com/contact/

 

2024 New Legislation and Laws Impacting Healthcare Workers

Posted on July 1, 2024July 5, 2024 by admin admin

Federal legislation such as the ICAN Act (H.R. 8812 and S. 5212) aims to remove practice barriers for Nurse Practitioners (NPs). If passed, these bills would expand NPs’ authority to perform more comprehensive healthcare services, including roles traditionally reserved for physicians. This includes certifying the need for inpatient services, performing physical exams in skilled nursing facilities, and more​​.

Additionally, other states are enacting healthcare-related laws. For example, Missouri introduced bills (MO SB79 and MO HB271) to grant full practice authority to NPs, allowing them to work independently without physician oversight. ​

In April, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a staffing law to address the healthcare worker shortage. This legislation mandates that hospitals adhere to specific staffing standards and establish staffing committees, including nursing staff and administrators, by January 1. These committees are responsible for approving annual staffing plans, which must be submitted to state officials by 2025. Hospitals falling below 80% compliance with these plans are required to report their noncompliance. Subsequently, the state departments of health and labor and industries will assign corrective action plans to these hospitals. Failure to comply with these corrective plans could result in fines of $50,000 per month​

These changes reflect ongoing efforts to address healthcare access and provider shortages across the country

 

$25 Minimum Wage – SB 525

Sen. Maria Elena Durazo proposed delaying the $25 minimum wage for California’s lowest-paid health care workers to align with the state fiscal year and allow more time for budget discussions. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed the law last fall, suggested a delay due to the state’s budget shortfall. With the wage increase set for June 1, many health workers remain uncertain about their pay raises, though some have already been notified of increases.

Newsom’s recent budget proposal indicates ongoing negotiations to adjust the wage law, with a promised deal before the budget is signed. SEIU-UHW, the union behind the law, launched an ad campaign emphasizing the importance of the wage increase amid worker confusion. The governor proposed tying wage increases to the state’s budget, facing a $27.6 billion deficit, with the wage hike potentially costing around $4 billion annually, although the UC Berkeley Labor Center estimates lower costs.

Despite potential changes, some employers are proceeding with the wage increases. The California Hospitals Association and the California Kidney Care Alliance confirmed compliance with the law, and health workers are set to receive between $18 to $23 an hour starting next month, with the full $25 phased in over the years. Some health systems, like UC Health and Kaweah Health Medical Center, have already raised wages to stay competitive and retain employees.

The $25 minimum wage law for California’s lowest-paid healthcare workers specifically applies to a wide range of workers in the healthcare sector. This includes:

•         Hospital workers
•         Dialysis clinic workers
•         Home health aides
•         Nursing assistants
•         Medical technicians
•         Support staff such as janitors and food service workers within healthcare facilities

The law is aimed at ensuring that these essential but often underpaid workers receive a living wage, which will be phased in over several years until it reaches $25 per hour.

 

Professional Healthcare Staffing Agency

As new staffing legislation underscores the critical need for adequate healthcare staffing, our role as a healthcare staffing company becomes even more vital. By ensuring hospitals can meet the mandated staffing standards, we help improve patient care and reduce the burden on existing healthcare workers. Momentum’s team of experienced professionals is ready to support hospitals in forming effective staffing committees, devising robust staffing plans, and maintaining compliance to avoid hefty fines. Partner with us to navigate these regulatory changes seamlessly and ensure your facility is well-equipped to provide exceptional patient care. Together, we can address the healthcare worker shortage and build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system.

 

For more information on how we can assist, contact us today.

 

Sources:

Calmatters.org
beckershospitalreview.com
nurse.org
openai.com

2024: Latest in Workers Mental Health

Posted on March 4, 2024 by admin admin

In recent years, the mental health of healthcare workers has emerged as a critical topic of concern within the healthcare industry. The demanding nature of their work, compounded by factors such as long hours, high-stress environments, and witnessing human suffering firsthand, has contributed to a growing recognition of the mental health challenges faced by those in the healthcare profession. In this article, we delve into the evolving trends surrounding the mental well-being of healthcare workers.

 

Mental Health Report from Calm

Calm’s latest workplace mental health report highlights concerning trends affecting employees worldwide. The survey, which gathered insights from 4,000 employees and 150 HR leaders, reveals that despite advancements in mental health support, nearly 70% of employees report stagnant or worsening mental health over the past year. Sleep disturbances, with 68% experiencing trouble falling asleep in the past month, add to these challenges. Key findings point to a pervasive culture of overwork, with 60% of global workers always feeling connected to work and half expressing concerns about the impact of rapidly advancing technologies.

Furthermore, one-third view AI tools as negatively affecting well-being. The report underscores the vital role of supportive management, with 65% of employees believing that good management can enhance mental health, yet only 38% feel their managers foster a low-stress environment. Women’s unique needs in the workplace, particularly regarding reproductive health, also emerge as an area requiring more attention, as only 35% report workplace support in this regard. The top stressors identified include the cost of living and financial instability, particularly impactful for American workers.

Calm suggests proactive measures to address these challenges, advocating for preventative resources in existing benefits and the cultivation of empathetic managers who facilitate open discussions about mental health.

 

Medscape’s Physician Burnout and Depression Report

Medscape’s 2024 physician burnout and depression report reveals that nearly half of physicians surveyed experienced burnout, with a 49% burnout rate—a slight decrease from the previous year but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. The specialties most affected include emergency medicine, OB-GYN, oncology, pediatrics, and family medicine, while plastic surgery, ophthalmology, psychiatry, pathology, and otolaryngology report lower rates. Key contributors to burnout include bureaucratic tasks, long work hours, and lack of respect from employers or colleagues.

Coping mechanisms include exercise, social support, adequate sleep, solitude, and music. Physicians suggest that increased compensation, additional support staff, and flexible work schedules would alleviate burnout the most.

 

Women in Healthcare: Are They Experiencing More Burnout?

 

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences conducted a comprehensive analysis revealing that women in healthcare occupations face significantly higher levels of stress and burnout compared to men. Lead researcher Leigh A. Frame, from the GW Resiliency & Well-being Center, emphasizes the detrimental impact of the intense pressures faced by female healthcare professionals, exacerbated by societal expectations to prioritize both career and family responsibilities. Analyzing 71 studies spanning over four decades and various countries, the study sheds light on the detrimental effects of gender inequality, poor work-life balance, and limited workplace autonomy on women’s well-being. Conversely, job satisfaction and a supportive work environment are identified as protective factors against stress and burnout. The study underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to address these challenges, especially given the heightened strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Recommendations include fostering supportive workplace cultures, providing access to professional development opportunities, and promoting mindfulness practices. The findings highlight the need for healthcare employers and policymakers to develop solutions to prevent burnout, which can lead to workforce shortages and other systemic issues.

 

Momentum: Healthcare Staffing for a Better Work Life Balance

If you’re seeking a healthcare job or company that prioritizes work-life balance to combat burnout, Momentum is here to help. By understanding your unique preferences, skills, and career goals, we can help match you with opportunities that offer supportive work environments, flexible schedules, and resources for maintaining well-being. Whether you’re a nurse practitioner, physician, radiologist, or mental health provider, finding the right balance between work and life is essential for sustaining a fulfilling and sustainable career in healthcare. Let us help you find a job or company that aligns with your values and promotes your overall well-being. Together, we can work towards creating a healthier and more balanced healthcare workforce.

 

Sources:

Eurekalert.org
prnewswire.com
theamericangenius.com
Openai.com