For healthcare professionals and those about to enter the field, 2011 should be a better year. After several years of sluggish growth, healthcare hiring is expected to pick up slightly. Unfortunately, a number of factors will continue to limit job growth.
Long-term unemployment continues to influence healthcare consumers, many of whom are now without "cushy" company paid policies. These people have simply dropped out of the market due to exorbitantly high individual plans whose rates have gone up, in some cases, by 56 percent. Some have "bitten the bullet" and opted for extremely high deductible, catastrophic coverage plans. These brave souls have elected to forgo everything but emergency and catastrophic healthcare. Many of these underinsured, especially those nearing retirement age, are delaying elective procedures until their Medicare coverage kicks in. Less demand for healthcare translates into reduced hiring for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
The good news is that healthcare hiring will improve slightly in 2011. Down the line, healthcare is expected to be an engine of job growth. According BLS projections, healthcare and social-assistance employment will expand by nearly 4 million jobs, to 19.8 million, from 2008 to 2018.
That said, if you're considering going into the healthcare field, the job picture will be lean, even in areas where shortages were the norm. Employment in specialties areas like pediatrics, perinatal or ICU will present a challenge to all but the most qualified and experienced job seekers. On the optimistic side, a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing noted that 65 percent of new BSN grads received a job offer after graduation in 2010. And 89 percent had secured offers within 6 months of graduation.
The competition for healthcare jobs is tough and you'll need more education to stay in the game. Some physical therapy and rehabilitation jobs now require a doctorate. And nurses will fare better with a B.S. degree than and A.S. degree.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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