Online platforms that allow nurses to 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 providers trying to keep buildings adequately staffed, according to an article in Health Affairs.
Amid the significant increase in the number of nurses transitioning to the gig models, CareRev, Clipboard Health, IntelyCare, Kare, Nursa and ShiftKey are just a few platforms that try to match the demand for nurses with a supply of nurses, the article stated. The platforms allow nurses to take temporary positions and move on to new opportunities. Some platforms contract with staff, so they might not provide them with traditional employee benefits or training.
Still, the platforms can create imbalances when it comes to staffing. 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. Some gig nurses may care more about the money than providing quality care, the analysis suggested.
In addition, businesses need to be careful about how they classify workers to prevent legal issues, rising costs and to protect their reputations, the article cautioned. In addition, healthcare laws differ from state to state, which could impact nurses, facilities and the platforms.
“The amalgamation of technology, gig economy and healthcare via on-demand nursing platforms presents opportunities such as enhanced flexibility and reduced burnout potential,” article authors observed. “Despite these advantages, concerns around worker status, legal implications, and job equity arise, demanding careful consideration.”
From the December 2023 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
