Every six months, experts analyze how the job market is changing in the US Staffing Industry Forecast report. 

This article gives a simple look at what they think will happen in healthcare staffing, which has been going through big changes lately. 

There have been fewer workers, more temporary workers, lots of stress and money problems, and then things are starting to get more normal again. The market got 24% smaller last year.

The healthcare staffing area grew a lot bigger than before the pandemic. In 2023, it started to get back to normal, getting 24% smaller. 

This was because fewer travel nurses were needed (down by 40%) and fewer per diem workers were used (down by 22%) since there was less work and they were paid less. 

But there are still good signs for travel nurses, like there not being enough nurses for all the work, and more people going back to normal doctor visits.

The per diem workforce got 22% smaller in 2023, and it's expected to shrink more in 2024. 

But some good things for this group are that workers like having flexible hours, and there's a lot of need for staff in places like long-term care, which was hit hard by the pandemic and is slow to get back to full staffing.

The locum tenens group had a great year in 2023 and is expected to keep growing this year. This is because there's more work and better pay for certain jobs like surgery and jobs for older patients.

The allied group also grew in 2023 but is expected to go down a bit in 2024. Healthcare places are trying to save money while still keeping up with patient needs, especially with more older patients needing care.

Even though the healthcare staffing market got smaller overall, it's still the biggest part of the US staffing industry. 

Hospitals are starting to make more money, and bosses think more people will want to travel for work as things get better. Members can learn more about this in their US Staffing Industry Forecast report.

To conclude, the US healthcare staffing industry has seen significant shifts over the past few years, particularly in response to workforce shortages, increased use of temporary staff, and financial pressures. 

While 2023 marked a contraction in the market, with fewer travel nurses and per diem workers needed, certain segments like locum tenens experienced growth due to demand in specialized fields.

Looking ahead to 2024, we anticipate further adjustments in the per diem and allied segments as healthcare providers balance cost control with patient needs. 

Despite these changes, healthcare staffing remains a crucial part of the overall staffing industry, with opportunities emerging for flexible work arrangements and increased demand for specialized healthcare professionals.

As economic conditions improve and healthcare services expand, the industry may see renewed interest from clinicians considering travel assignments. 

This evolving landscape underscores the importance of adaptability and strategic planning within the healthcare staffing sector. 

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