The healthcare economy is improving enough that healthcare professionals are reporting significantly more confidence in their careers, and risk managers might have reason to feel confident in their futures.
In mid-year 2015, the Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index (ECI) rose by 9.2 points to 64.8, up from 55.6 at year-end 2014. The online survey of 243 healthcare employees, including healthcare administrators, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Randstad Healthcare.
According to the mid-year 2015 report, the Randstad Healthcare ECI (64.8) surpassed Randstad US’ aggregate ECI of 62.1, which suggests that employees within the healthcare field are particularly confident in regard to the overall economy, as well as their personal employment prospects.
According to the mid-year 2015 report, 29% of healthcare workers believe the economy is getting stronger, and 36% believe there are more jobs available. Although 66% of healthcare workers say they are confident in their ability to find a new job, only 32% say they are likely to look for new employment opportunities in the next 12 months.
Job security among healthcare employees remains high. In fact, 76% say it is unlikely they will lose their job over the next 12 months, and 66% say they are confident in their ability to find a new job.
The Randstad Healthcare ECI mirrors strong job gains in the healthcare sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September 2015 Employment Situation Summary. Healthcare led the way in job creation, by adding 34,000 new positions in August 2015 and approximately 38,000 jobs monthly over the past 12 months. Hospitals gained nearly half (16,000) of the new jobs, while ambulatory care added 13,000 jobs, notes Abigail Tremble, president of Randstad Healthcare.
