From traditional to flexible: how healthcare work is changing

The main ways people work

• Full-time staff. A set schedule with one employer, usually with benefits. The most predictable option.
• Part-time staff. Fewer guaranteed hours. Benefits depend on the employer.
• PRN / per diem. You pick up shifts as needed, often with one or more employers. The most control over your time, but the least guaranteed. How PRN works.
• Travel assignments. Contracts of a set length in another city or state. If you're licensed, you need authority to practice in the state where the patient is, through a license from that state or, for nurses, a multistate license where the Nurse Licensure Compact applies.
• Platform-based shifts. Apps that let facilities post shifts and professionals claim them directly.

Why the mix is changing

Demand keeps growing. BLS projects that between 2025 and 2035, home health and personal care aide jobs will grow 18.1%, medical assistant jobs 12.9%, and registered nurse jobs 5.6%, compared with 3.5% for all occupations. Growth plus turnover means many openings every year. See the figures for every role in Explore Healthcare Careers.

Choosing what fits

Ask yourself:

1. How much predictability do I need? Rent and childcare don't flex.
2. Do I need benefits through work? Health insurance and retirement plans usually come with staff roles.
3. How much variety do I want? Flexible work exposes you to more settings and teams.
4. Am I licensed where the work is? Check before you accept. Find your state's board.

Keeping quality high when you move around

Working in new places means learning new routines fast. Ask for a unit orientation, know who your charge nurse or supervisor is, and confirm how to reach a provider. Keep your own credentials current and organized so onboarding is quick.

How SHIFTit fits

SHIFTit lets facilities work with SHIFTerz directly, with credentials verified once and carried to every facility on the platform. Learn more.