Top Healthcare Staffing Trends to Watch in 2025

The healthcare workforce is undergoing significant transformation in 2025. Staffing firms, healthcare systems, and providers must all stay nimble to keep up with shifting demands, technological innovation, and evolving expectations from both workers and patients. Here's a look at the top healthcare staffing trends shaping the industry in 2025.

1. Flexibility Is the New Standard

Clinicians are prioritizing work-life balance more than ever. In response, facilities are moving away from rigid schedules and toward flexible staffing models, including:

  • Per diem shifts

  • Short-term contracts

  • Part-time telehealth roles

This shift is driving demand for agile staffing solutions that can accommodate both provider preferences and patient care needs.

2. Locum Tenens on the Rise

Locum tenens continues to grow—not just as a stopgap solution, but as a preferred career path. Providers are increasingly choosing locums for the variety, competitive compensation, and lifestyle flexibility it offers. In-demand specialties include:

  • Emergency medicine

  • Psychiatry

  • Anesthesiology

  • Primary care

Facilities are leaning on locum tenens professionals to maintain continuity of care amid persistent physician shortages.

3. Technology Is Streamlining Staffing Operations

Healthcare staffing firms are investing in technology to match talent faster and reduce administrative burden. In 2025, the most successful firms are leveraging:

  • AI-powered candidate matching

  • Mobile-first scheduling platforms

  • Automated credentialing and compliance tools

This tech-enabled approach improves speed-to-placement and enhances the provider and client experience.

4. Mental Health Staffing Is a Critical Focus

With behavioral health concerns on the rise, the demand for mental health professionals has surged. Facilities are urgently seeking:

  • Psychiatrists

  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners

  • Licensed therapists and counselors

Staffing agencies play a key role in addressing these gaps, especially in schools, community health centers, and correctional facilities.

5. Credentialing Is Getting Faster—But Still a Bottleneck

Licensing and credentialing delays remain a pain point in staffing. However, new systems—such as interstate licensure compacts and credentialing automation—are helping to streamline the process. Agencies that prioritize fast, accurate onboarding have a competitive advantage in this environment.

6. The Aging Workforce Is Creating Urgency

A large segment of the clinical workforce is nearing retirement. This is placing more pressure on staffing firms to:

  • Recruit new grads and early-career providers

  • Retain experienced clinicians with flexible and phased retirement options

  • Help facilities plan for succession

Proactive staffing strategies are essential as the industry braces for a significant talent drain.

7. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Hiring

Healthcare systems are emphasizing the importance of diverse and inclusive hiring practices. Staffing firms are being asked to support these initiatives by:

  • Broadening candidate pools

  • Reducing bias in recruitment workflows

  • Tracking and reporting DEI metrics

Facilities want talent that reflects the communities they serve—and staffing partners must help deliver.

Final Thoughts

As the healthcare landscape continues to shift, staffing firms must stay ahead of the curve. From leveraging tech to embracing flexibility and expanding access to care, 2025 is a year of opportunity for those ready to innovate.

At Alumni Staffing, we're committed to helping healthcare organizations and providers adapt to this evolving landscape with smart, responsive staffing solutions.

Ready to meet 2025 head-on? Contact us today to learn how we can help you stay fully staffed and future-ready.

A Proud Welcome to Our Newest Alumni Board Member

Jessica Calzaretta

Alumni Staffing Adds Jessica Calzaretta to its Board of Directors

 

Industry Veteran Will Bring Unique Perspectives and Insights to High-Growth Locums Tenens Firm

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alumni Staffing ("Alumni" or the "Company"), a high-growth locum tenens staffing firm, today announced that Jessica Calzaretta, President of Insight Global Health, has joined its Board of Directors. Calzaretta is a highly experienced and recognized staffing industry executive who was responsible for launching the healthcare business line for Insight Global in 2021 and serves as a member of the Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation.

"We are grateful to have an executive of Jessica's caliber join our Board of Directors. Her relentless dedication to providing the ultimate experience for both candidates and clients, while internally maintaining a hyper-focus on continuous growth, is the ideal combination of assets we have been seeking in a Board member. Her highly impressive professional career and experience will be a huge advantage for us as we continue our rapid growth trajectory." said John Pannucci, CEO of Alumni.

"As I got to know Alumni, it became obvious that their passion to deliver quality and service to their clients matched with their emphasis on culture and development have enabled the company to be a true differentiator in the locums industry," said Calzaretta. "I am incredibly excited to work with John and the Alumni team as they continue their impressive growth journey."

About Alumni
Alumni Staffing is a locum tenens firm headquartered in Bridgewater, NJ. Since its establishment in 2016, Alumni has prioritized honesty, responsiveness, and delivery in its operations. Both clients and candidates seek a reliable locum tenens partner to fill their respective needs. At Alumni, we are committed to providing timely and efficient management of locum opportunities, ensuring that health systems and clinicians alike receive exceptional service. For more information, please visit alumnihealthcarestaffing.com.

SOURCE Alumni Staffing

Signs Your Facility May Need Locum Tenens Support

Increased Patient Wait Times
If patients are experiencing longer than usual wait times to be seen by healthcare professionals, it might be a result of understaffing within the facility. In such situations, locum providers can step in quickly and effectively to alleviate these bottlenecks and significantly improve the overall delivery of care to patients.

Provider Burnout is Rising
When your core staff is stretched thin and overextended, team morale tends to drop significantly and the risk of burnout increases substantially. Bringing in locum tenens can provide your healthcare team with much-needed relief, allowing them to recharge and refocus, which can ultimately help to prevent turnover and maintain a positive work environment.

Gaps in Specialty Coverage
Need a skilled neurologist or psychiatrist for just a few days a week? Our locum tenens providers are perfectly equipped to step in and fill those challenging, hard-to-staff specialty roles temporarily, ensuring that there is a seamless continuity of care for your patients during the transition.

Extended PTO, Leave, or Sudden Departures
Whether it's a physician taking maternity leave to welcome a new family member or an unexpected resignation that leaves a critical position vacant, locum tenens staffing solutions can effectively bridge the gap without the need to rush into a permanent hire. This approach not only ensures continuity of care but also allows healthcare facilities the time and flexibility to find the right permanent candidate.

Difficulty Recruiting in Rural or Underserved Areas
If your geographic location makes it particularly challenging to attract full-time healthcare providers, utilizing locum tenens can provide flexible, high-quality coverage solutions without the burden of a long-term commitment. This approach enables healthcare facilities to maintain continuity of care while carefully managing staffing needs.

Seasonal or Census-Driven Surges
Flu season, summer vacations, or unexpected census spikes can all create significant challenges for healthcare facilities. During these times, locum providers play a vital role in helping you effectively scale your staff to meet the increasing demand for services. Their expertise and flexibility ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted, even when circumstances change rapidly.

Delays in Credentialing Permanent Hires
Waiting on paperwork or state licensing can often introduce delays in healthcare operations. However, locum tenens providers are an excellent solution to ensure that everything continues to function smoothly during this interim period while new hires are processed and brought on board.

 

📣 If you’re nodding your head at any of these, it might be time to consider locum tenens support.

👉 Let Alumni Staffing step in with credentialed, ready-to-work providers nationwide.
📞 Contact us today: (908) 842-8235