BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --The fourth quarter findings from the Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index reveals that healthcare workers are more confident in nearly all aspects surveyed, including strength of the economy and availability of jobs. In addition, U.S. healthcare workers are much more likely to look for a new job compared to the third quarter of 2012. The online survey, conducted in October through December, 2012 by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Healthcare, showed that overall employee confidence rose by 4.1 points to 57.5 in the fourth quarter. The survey of 299 workers included physicians, healthcare administrators and other healthcare professionals.

"Given the latest findings of our Healthcare Employee Confidence Index, it appears much of the anxiety around the fiscal cliff concerns have all but dissipated as we enter 2013," said Steve McMahan, executive vice president of Randstad US, Professionals. "The healthcare employment market has exhibited strong growth in the past months, adding 23,000 jobs in January and rising 320,000 over the year. The long-term outlook for the industry is equally as promising. Specifically, physicians in urgent care and those with specialization in anti-aging medicine are in high demand, as are registered nurses in both permanent and temporary positions. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, with 26 percent gains from 2010 to 2020."

This year, many hospitals will be focused on cost containment and efficiency as they navigate compliance with recent changes in healthcare reform. The temporary nursing industry will be a key strategy for these healthcare organizations to increase their supply of nursing talent and new demands without sacrificing patient outcomes. In a study released in December by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, which examined data from more than 1.3 million patients and 40,000 nurses in more than 600 hospitals, researchers from the university concluded that hiring temporary nurses immediately increases the nurse-to-patient rationwhich correlates directly to decreased patient mortality rates.

Healthcare Workers Believe More Jobs Are Available

Healthcare Workers More Likely to Job Search

More Than Half of Healthcare Workers Confident They Can Find a New Job

Slight Decrease in Employer Confidence Among Healthcare Workers

Healthcare Workers Believe the Economy is Getting Stronger

To view the latest quarterly trends report, click here.

Survey Methodology This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Healthcare from October 8-10, November 12-14, and December 11-13, 2012, among 4,738 adults ages 18 and older of which 299 are employed in healthcare, which included physicians, healthcare administrators, as well as other healthcare professionals. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact lesly.cardec@randstadusa.com.

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Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index Shows Renewed Confidence Among Healthcare Workers