It’s difficult to discuss the current state of the healthcare industry and not mention the healthcare staffing shortage. Hospitals, urgent care facilities, clinics, and imaging centers throughout the country are experiencing staffing concerns. The shortage has forced patients to endure longer wait times and impacted the overall quality of care provided.
As concerning as the current landscape of healthcare is, it offers intriguing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard. At Prism Career Institute, we offer medical career training programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that can prepare individuals to step into vacant healthcare roles. Here, we explore the factors contributing to the ongoing healthcare staffing shortage and what they mean for students looking to break into the industry.
Reasons for the Healthcare Staffing Shortage
The lack of available healthcare workers is a culmination of several driving forces. They include:
An Aging Population
An aging population is one of the primary factors driving demand for care. As the current population continues to age, more patients over the age of 65 will need specialized care to manage chronic conditions. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau projects there will be roughly 73 million adults over the age of 65 by 2032. This will account for 42% of physician demand. As the need for care increases, so too does the need for qualified healthcare workers.
Healthcare Workers Nearing Retirement
Naturally, as the general population ages, the current workforce does, as well. It’s estimated that workers across several healthcare specialties are nearing the age of retirement. By 2030, one of every five Americans will be of retirement age, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Population Projections. The wave of retirement is leaving several vacant healthcare positions open with very few qualified to fill them.
What This All Means
While the future of the healthcare industry looks uncertain, one thing is clear; there is plenty of opportunity to be seized. There’s no better time than right now for interested individuals to break into the medical field.
A profession in healthcare is often viewed as a rewarding role with several advantages. Those wishing to enter the medical field often are attracted by the following benefits:
Job Mobility
Healthcare continues to be one of the most in-demand sectors for prospective employees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16%, adding about 2.6 million jobs, through 2030. This is much faster than the average projected growth for all U.S. occupations.
Because staffing shortages are affecting medical offices all over the United States, people working in healthcare have great job mobility. Staffing vacancies all over the country allow healthcare workers to explore new places while offering their services.
Job Security
With the growing concern of staffing shortages, people who work in healthcare benefit from a high level of job security. There will always be a need for dedicated and qualified workers who are passionate about helping others.
Career Outlook
There are several available career paths for workers in the healthcare industry. With the necessary education, skills, and experience, workers can forge their own career paths, selecting roles that align with their passions and interests.
Where to Begin?
Before individuals can take advantage of the opportunities that the staffing shortage has presented, they must first obtain the required training and learn the necessary skills. To help our students find employment, Prism Career Institute offers focused healthcare training programs. Our Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing programs prepare students for entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare work environments.
To accommodate the lives of our students, both programs are offered during the day and at night, making them great for people who already have jobs or family obligations but are interested in switching careers.
To help make furthering your education more manageable, Prism Career Institute is pleased to offer financial aid to students who qualify. In addition, Prism Career Institute features a resourceful Career Services department. Students can take advantage of assistance with resumes, interview skills, networking opportunities, and job-searching strategies to make themselves more attractive to prospective employers.
Begin Your Journey at Prism Career Institute
The healthcare industry demands qualified medical professionals to address the staffing shortage. Those interested in securing entry-level healthcare jobs can begin their journey at Prism Career Institute. Our healthcare programs offered at our locations in Philadelphia, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ, can be completed in a short time. For more information about how you can help the healthcare staffing shortage, contact us today.