The Labor Department revealed slow job growth in November, with just 210,000 new jobs added to payrolls. November's increase in hiring was the smallest in a year and was well below the half a million jobs expected by economists. The unemployment rate hit a new pandemic low, coming in at 4.2% from 4.6%.  The data indicates that the worst labor shortage in decades continues to heavily impact economic growth.  

Healthcare employment was virtually unchanged in November (+2,100). Within the industry, employment in ambulatory health care services continued to trend up (+17,000), while hospital lost 3,900 jobs and nursing and residential care facilities lost 11,000 jobs. Employment in health care is down by 450,000 since February
2020, with nursing and residential care facilities accounting for nearly all of the loss.

While 2021 has continued to test each of us and our communities in many unprecedented ways, we have used this opportunity to build resilience and demonstrate that we will not let hardships and challenges define us. With Thanksgiving just a few days away, we are looking forward to being able to come together to celebrate with our friends and families. At HWS, we are grateful for our team members, clinicians and healthcare partners  across the country who raise the bar and  work hard each day to create both career opportunities for healthcare professionals and ensure the delivery of patient care across the country.  We are all part of something so much bigger than ourselves and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others every day is something we all should be truly grateful for.

Featured in photo left to right: Katherine Gurley, Marvyn Louis and Jenna Lex.

Each month, the HealthTrust Workforce Solutions Recruitment Team recognizes an Employee of the Month for surpassing their goals and exemplifying Operational Excellence. Congratulations to Q3 2021 Employees of the Month Jenna Lex, Marvyn Louis and Katherine Gurley.

HealthTrust Workforce Solutions would like to express our gratitude to those who served in the United States military, especially the many among us now working within the HealthTrust Workforce Solutions family. Since 2012, our parent company HCA Healthcare has hired more than 39,000 veterans, active-duty personnel and military spouses.

The Labor Department reported that 531,000 jobs were created in October, a sign that economic activity is picking up in the early fourth quarter. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.6% from 4.8%. Despite record-breaking numbers of job openings, millions of Americans remain unemployed and outside of the labor force.

This Halloween HealthTrust's Employee Advisory Group hosted a contest for the best Halloween costumes. While everyone looked very festive, our team voted on their top picks!  Take a look at our contest winners and all of our team members in costume!

First Place - Day of the Dead - Blanca Torres, LMS Administrator (Credentialing)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that job growth dropped to the slowest pace seen this year, adding just 194,000 new jobs in September and marking the second consecutive month of decline. The unemployment rate dropped to an 18-month low of 4.8%, partially offset by those leaving the labor force. August payrolls were revised to show a revised job gain of 366,000, up from the originally reported 235,000. Overall employment remains 5.0 million jobs below the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020.

Brooke Johns, an emergency room nurse at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev., spends her days off brushing and braiding patients' hair. She started these acts of kindness to help patients who weren't able to have visitors due to the pandemic. She hopes to set the example for her three kids to give back. "Service is so important," said Brooke. "If they see mom doing it they are much more likely to do it too."

It’s hard to imagine but today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people — more than 400 were police officers, firefighters and first responders. September 11, 2001 — 9/11— stands as the deadliest foreign attack in the United States.

Many of us can remember exactly where we were when that first plane hit the twin towers. Some of us have very personal memories of family or friends impacted by the attacks. One thing that stands out for me is how our communities across the country came together in a display of profound patriotism. We faced uncertainty and stood in the face of adversity, and ultimately came out more resilient. The same could be said for how we’ve pulled together these past 18 months in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, which as we know, continues.

The COVID-19 Delta variant likely tampered with job growth last month, according to the August 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Hiring Situation. In August 235,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy, the fewest jobs in seven months and less than half of the average monthly job growth of 586,000 that has been seen this year. The unemployment rate dropped to a 17-month low of 5.2%, down from 5.6%, a 16-month low. Employment is up by 17 million since April 2020 but down by 5.3 million, or 3.5%, from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

While the healthcare sector overall lost 4,900 jobs in August, hospitals marked the second consecutive month of job growth, adding 3,200 jobs. Job losses occurred in nursing and residential care facilities (-6,900) and in ambulatory care settings (-1,200). Ambulatory care has typically been the largest job-producing segment within healthcare’s economic rebound. Overall, 513,400 healthcare jobs have been lost since the start of the pandemic in February 2020, with nursing homes accounting for the majority of job loss (-383,200). Hospitals lost 84,800 jobs and ambulatory care settings lost 45,300 jobs during the same time period.