For many recent graduates, the career search has begun. Men and women are scouring websites, newspaper ads, and networking to find the perfect career, one where he or she can make a difference, and a little money to boot. For many job seekers, the career search is stressful … perfecting the cover letter and resume and making it through the interview process alive. However, for the 580 nursing students, 100 pharmacy students, and 140 medical students who recently graduated from the UW System, along with many graduates from the technical college system, the road to securing a job may not be so stressful. There is tremendous demand throughout Wisconsin and the nation for many different healthcare careers such as nurses, radiology technologists, and surgical technologists.
Driving the need for health care workers is the aging population. By the year 2025, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 20% of Wisconsin’s 1.2 million residents will be over the age of 65. In addition to the aging population, improved medical technology and an emphasis upon preventive care will drive the demand for more healthcare workers.
Noted in the recent release of the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics 10-year employment and economic projections, healthcare occupations are prevalent. Health services is one of the top industry divisions with the strongest projected employment growth; that is, the industry is projected to grow twice as fast as the overall economy.
Registered nurses topped the list of occupations with the largest job growth from 2002-2012. It is expected the number of registered nurses will grow from 2,284,000 to 2,908,000, a 27 percent change. From the top ten fastest growing occupations, six occupational areas were healthcare occupations.
| US | WI | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Percent Change | Employment 2002 | Employment 2012 | Change | Employment 2002 | Employment 2012 | Change |
| Medical assistants | 58.91% | 364,635 | 579,449 | 214,814 | 34,161 | 54,285 | 20,124 |
| Network systems/data communication analyst | 57.04% | 185,971 | 292,044 | 106,073 | 16,644 | 26,138 | 9,494 |
| Physician assistants | 48.85% | 63,033 | 93,827 | 30,794 | 4,606 | 6,856 | 2,250 |
| Social & human service assistants | 48.74% | 305,151 | 453,869 | 148,718 | 22,246 | 33,089 | 10,843 |
| Home health aides | 48.13% | 579,699 | 858,723 | 279,024 | 41,232 | 61,077 | 19,845 |
| Medical records & health info technicians | 46.76% | 146,922 | 215,629 | 68,707 | 10,152 | 14,899 | 4,747 |
| Physical therapist aides | 46.37% | 36,993 | 54,146 | 17,153 | 2,484 | 3,636 | 1,152 |
| Computer software engineers, applications | 45.51% | 394,076 | 573,437 | 179,361 | 26,358 | 38,354 | 11,996 |
| Computer software engineers, systems | 45.47% | 281,103 | 408,906 | 127,803 | 18,405 | 26,774 | 8,369 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 44.62% | 50,188 | 72,580 | 22,392 | 3,285 | 4,751 | 1,466 |
| US (employment in thousands) | WI (employment in thousands) | ||||||
| Occupation | Percent Change | Employment 2002 | Employment 2012 | Change | Employment 2002 | Employment 2012 | Change |
| Medical assistants | 58.91% | 365 | 579 | 215 | 34 | 54 | 20 |
| Network systems/data communication analyst | 57.04% | 186 | 292 | 106 | 17 | 26 | 9 |
| Physician assistants | 48.85% | 63 | 94 | 31 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Social & human service assistants | 48.74% | 305 | 454 | 149 | 22 | 33 | 11 |
| Home health aides | 48.13% | 580 | 859 | 279 | 41 | 61 | 20 |
| Medical records & health info technicians | 46.76% | 147 | 216 | 69 | 10 | 15 | 5 |
| Physical therapist aides | 46.37% | 37 | 54 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Computer software engineers, applications | 45.51% | 394 | 573 | 179 | 26 | 38 | 12 |
| Computer software engineers, systems | 45.47% | 281 | 409 | 128 | 18 | 27 | 8 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 44.62% | 50 | 73 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
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Source: Department of Workforce Development, Office of Economic Advisors, June 2004 |
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According to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) the total number of healthcare related occupations in Wisconsin in 2000 were 219,520. The Department of Workforce Development projects that number will swell to 270,680 in 2010, a percent change of 23%. Additionally, there are 4,280 annual replacement workers needed to fill these jobs, which places a tremendous burden on the already stressed healthcare workforce. For example, when a hospital cannot fill a shift because there are not enough nurses, existing staff nurses must work overtime. According to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the average nurse works an extra 8.5 weeks every year. This additional workload may be particularly stressful for older employees. Currently the average age of a working registered nurse is 43.3 years, and only 12% of registered nurses currently in the workforce are under the age of 30. The projected average age of a nurse in the year 2010 will be 50 years of age.
Why is it important for the public to understand the shortage of healthcare workers? Healthcare is something that everyone at one time or another will encounter. Whether it is a trip to the dentist, a x-ray, surgery, or a visit to a relative in a nursing home, we will interact with a healthcare professional. When there are not enough healthcare workers, we as patients will be affected. A study by the American Hospital Association reported that some of the effects of a nursing shortage resulted in the discontinuation of services and programs, and the cancellation of elective surgeries. There is research to suggest that a shortage of healthcare workers can directly impact patient safety. High turnover and low retention, reduced time with patients, stress and burnout, and use of temporary staff with less expertise can all be tied to workforce issues and can affect overall patient safety.
Increasing the healthcare workforce is not something that will happen overnight. The good news is that there are many interested players committed to increasing the strength and diversity of Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce. The desired result, however, will take time and money. Technical colleges and universities, who are in many instances already strapped for cash, are being challenged to find money for additional faculty. Nursing schools in particular will have to deal with a rash of retirements in the coming years, as the average age of nursing faculty is 57 years.
All of the players involved will have to be creative. Many private employers are beginning to engage in more job outreach activities, such as utilizing apprenticeship programs, employment exchanges, and offering training and education to current employees. If you know a young person who is pursuing career options, encourage him or her to explore the many different healthcare opportunities. Or, if you or someone you know is reentering the workforce after taking some time off, the perfect job may be waiting for you in a hospital, nursing home, or home care setting.
Written by guest author Alison Klawiter, June 2004.