Online platforms that let nurses pick and choose which facilities they work for are an effort to combat the nursing shortage. The platforms, however, have benefits and disadvantages for all parties involved — including long-term care communities trying to stay adequately staffed, according to an article in Health Affairs.
A recent survey found there’s been 1,400% percent growth in the number of nurses transitioning using the gig models, the article said. An on-demand nurse is similar to a travel nurse but has more flexibility; they don’t necessarily travel for an assignment.
CareRev, Clipboard Health, IntelyCare, Kare, Nursa and ShiftKey are just a few platforms that try to match demand for nurses with supply of nurses, the article started. The platforms let nurses take temporary positions and move on to new opportunities. The nurses often work as contractors, so they don’t get traditional employee benefits. Depending on how they’re classified as workers, the nurses lose some worker protections like minimum wage guarantees and overtime pay. The nurses also may face inequalities, as women and people of color make up a large portion of nurses.
The platforms also can create imbalances when it comes to staffing nurses. That’s because some of the on-demand nurses may opt for the higher-paying shifts, leaving lesser-paying shifts uncovered. Also, having a different rotation of nurses could affect clinical care consistency. Nurses may care more about the money than providing quality care, according to the article.
Businesses need to be careful about how they classify workers to prevent legal issues, rising costs, and to protect their reputations, the article reported. Healthcare facilities and the nursing staffing platforms have to be watched closely. Misclassifying nurses can create a host of issues. Plus, healthcare laws differ from state to state, which could impact issues for nurses, facilities and the platforms.
“Travel nurses already have access to the benefits provided by these apps, including the potential for union membership,” the article stated. “Yet, not all health care facilities extend these benefits universally, often requiring full-time employees to sign non-compete agreements to deter them from seeking better-paying opportunities elsewhere.”
These platforms are different from those in other industries due to the high level of regulations affecting the healthcare field. That means there are more opportunities for legal disputes between the parties that use them.
“The amalgamation of technology, gig economy and healthcare via on-demand nursing platforms presents opportunities such as enhanced flexibility and reduced burnout potential,” the article said. “Despite these advantages, concerns around worker status, legal implications, and job equity arise, demanding careful consideration.”
The news comes as nursing homes face a proposed federal staffing mandate, which also could affect assisted living providers.
