Twenty-Five Percent of Healthcare Workers Plan to Change Jobs in 2006

CHICAGO One in four healthcare workers are not feeling so good" about their jobs and plan to make an appointment with a new position in 2006, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey.   Increased workloads and the desire for better compensation and career advancement opportunities were cited as the leading factors motivating job  changes in healthcare in the New Year.  The survey, "Job Forecast 2006 - Healthcare," was conducted Nov. 15, 2005 through Dec. 6, 2005.   

As the healthcare industry struggles with a shortage of qualified staff, 68 percent of healthcare workers say their workloads have increased over the last six months.  Two-thirds say their workloads have become too heavy, causing increased stress at work and home. Thirty-six percent report difficulty balancing professional and personal commitments.

Healthcare workers are also expressing concern over the chance to advance in their careers. One in four feel they were overlooked for a promotion in 2005, a sharp increase from the one in 10 who felt overlooked in 2004.  Thirty percent of workers say they are dissatisfied with the lack of career advancement opportunities offered by their current employers, while 29 percent feel their jobs do not provide sufficient learning and professional development.

While compensation levels have improved in 2005, healthcare workers are still voicing discontent with their paychecks. Although 70 percent of healthcare workers report receiving a raise in 2005, 50 percent believe they are not fairly compensated for the effort put forth on the job. 

"The healthcare industry added over 270,000 jobs in 2006," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com.  "Job growth is expected to continue for the healthcare sector in 2006, driving an extraordinary labor demand.  As a result, the search for qualified workers is becoming increasingly competitive with the shortage of registered nurses, physical and respiratory therapists, radiology technicians and other positions."

Source: CareerBuilder.com