Healthcare Workers' Confidence Dips Slightly in Q4 2013

BOSTON, Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In line with other industries measured by Randstad in Q4 2013, U.S. healthcare workers' confidence levels decreased by 4.1 points to 55.1, according to the Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index. The online study among 148 healthcare employees, which included physicians, healthcare administrators and other healthcare professionals, was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Randstad Healthcare.

Despite the decline in overall confidence, nearly half (46%) of healthcare workers indicated they are likely to conduct a job search over the next year—up 15 percentage points from the third quarter of 2013. In fact, 61 percent feel confident they would be able to find a new job.

"Although overall sentiments dipped in the fourth quarter, workers remain fairly optimistic about their own employment prospects and rightfully so," said Steve McMahan, President of Randstad Healthcare. "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2012 to 2022, the healthcare and social assistance industry will grow an average of 2.6 percent a year and comprise nearly a third of the 15.6 million U.S. job gains during this time period. Further predictions indicate that nearly half of the 30 fastest-growing occupations during this timeframe will also be healthcare-related. For candidates, we expect to see continued demand for registered nurses, pharmacists, primary care physicians and nurse practitioners this year. Providers will continue to look at clinical efficiency and effectiveness to manage costs, while improving quality and satisfactory patient outcomes. From the Affordable Care Act to changing patient needs to technological challenges to meet the new stages of requirements for meaningful use of electronic health records and the imminent October 1 conversion to ICD-10 coding system, the healthcare industry is continuously evolving and those that effectively navigate these changes will gain a competitive advantage."

Q4, 2013 Survey Highlights:

Healthcare Workers Job Security Remains Strong

• Three-quarters (75%) of healthcare workers feel there is a strong probability they will not lose their jobs in the next 12 months compared to 81 percent in Q3.

More Healthcare Workers Likely to Search for New Jobs

• In the next 12 months, nearly half, or 46 percent, of healthcare workers say they are likely to look for a new job, representing an increase of 15 percentage points from the previous quarter.

Majority of Healthcare Workers Believe Fewer Jobs Available, Yet Confident They Can Find New Employment

• In the fourth quarter of 2013, 56 percent of healthcare workers believe fewer jobs are available, rising 12 percentage points from Q3 2013. However, over six-in-10 healthcare workers surveyed (61%) indicate they are confident they could find a job in the next 12 months, showing only a slight dip from 62 percent in the previous quarter.

Fewer Healthcare Workers Optimistic About Economic Strength

• The number of healthcare workers who say the economy is getting stronger fell 11 percentage points this quarter to 24 percent. Thirty-nine percent of healthcare workers believe the economy is staying the same, rising 11 percent from the previous quarter.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Randstad Healthcare from October 8-10, November 6-8 and December 3-5, 2013 among 3,113 adults ages 18 and older, of which 148 are employed in healthcare, which included physicians, healthcare administrators and other healthcare professionals. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].

About Randstad Healthcare
Randstad Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the U.S. and offers market leading, all-inclusive healthcare staffing solutions. Randstad Healthcare has been matching healthcare professionals with career opportunities at America's top healthcare facilities for over 25 years. From large hospital systems and rural medical centers, to physician groups, insurance companies, clinics and Fortune 500 companies, Randstad Healthcare offers full-service staffing capabilities, including physicians, nurses, advanced practice, case management, allied health and vendor managed services. For more information, please visit www.randstadhealthcare.com.

About Randstad
Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, a $22.0 billion global provider of HR services. As the third largest staffing organization in the U.S., Randstad holds top positions in permanent placement, office and administrative, IT and accounting and finance. From professional services, commercial staffing, recruitment process outsourcing, to managed services and more, Randstad delivers a comprehensive range of temporary, temporary-to-hire, permanent placement and outsourced placement services. With its 5,660 employment experts, Randstad puts an average of nearly 100,000 people to work in the U.S. each week, through its network of more than 900 branches and client-dedicated locations.

Learn more at www.randstadusa.com and access Randstad's panoramic U.S. thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.

SOURCE Randstad Healthcare