Survey: Execs say hospital practitioner vacancy rates are on the rise

Seventy-eight percent of hospital executives think there is a shortage of physicians; 66% say there is a shortage of nurses, and 50% report there is a shortage of advanced practitioners, according to AMN Healthcare’s 2013 Clinical Workforce Survey, which was released last week. The survey also found that the vacancy rate for physicians in hospitals is nearly 18%, compared to 10.7% in 2009; and nearly 17% for nurses, up from 5.5% in 2009. The vacancy rate also rose for allied professions, from 4.6% in 2009 to 13.3% in 2013.

The survey asked hospital executives nationwide to comment on clinical staffing trends affecting their facilities. More than 70% rated the staffing of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants as a high priority in 2013. Only 24% of hospital executives rated staffing these professionals as a high priority in AMN Healthcare’s 2009 Clinical Workforce Survey.