Once a job perk enjoyed by only a few, flexible scheduling is quickly becoming a core benefit in many healthcare jobs. But what are the benefits of flexible scheduling, exactly, and why are more and more nurses and other clinical workers demanding it in their careers? Here’s a look at what flexible scheduling means, why it matters, and how to make sure you find it in your next clinical job.
Looking for jobs with flexible scheduling? Find them at the HealthTrust jobsite!
What are the Benefits of Flexible Scheduling for Nurses & Other Healthcare Professionals?
What does flexible scheduling mean for healthcare professionals? It’s a term that’s defined in a number of ways. But for nurses and clinicians, flexible scheduling usually means having the freedom to choose what type of shift you want to work — for instance, night shifts instead of day shifts, or Monday through Friday only, with no weekends. It also can include the option to work staggered shifts, or 12-hour shifts.
As many clinicians know too well, that kind of flexible scheduling hasn’t always been an option. Especially in busy hospitals or facilities that struggle to stay fully staffed, the reality is that you’re often asked to stay later and work more — and at different times — then you originally agreed to. And during the pandemic, the situation was even more demanding.
That’s one big reason why flexible scheduling is so attractive for healthcare professionals — but not the only one! Flexible scheduling also helps you:
- Meet personal needs like going to school or family care by deciding which shifts you want to work
- Control when you do and don’t work overtime
- Reduce your likelihood of stress or burnout, both of which can have a huge impact not just on your mental health but your career trajectory
- Improve your sense of job satisfaction by putting your work experience on your terms — which can improve your morale and performance in a way that can lead to promotion and glowing references from managers and colleagues
- Understand which employers value employees (and are therefore likely to offer a better culture)
And in the facilities where flexible scheduling is taken seriously as a way to meet staffing ratios and accommodate fluctuations in census, flexible scheduling can even improve patient care by ensuring that staff is more attentive and engaged in their work — the ultimate benefit for everyone involved in delivering care.
What Flexible Scheduling Means for Your Career
Impressive as these benefits are, flexible scheduling has even more to offer. Especially since the pandemic, many employers struggle to hire the healthcare professionals they need. So, to better attract workers — and to make sure they’re happy once they’re on the team — many employers have expanded the benefits they offer. And today, flexible scheduling is often a centerpiece of those benefits plans.
It’s a win/win for employers. Obviously, offering flexible scheduling options appeals to nurses and other clinical workers, for the reasons we just discussed. But it also delivers other benefits for hospitals and healthcare facilities, too. For instance, it helps them save money by cutting down on wasted time, absent workers, and even patient wait times. It helps keep staff productive, on-point, and generally happy by letting them work when they want.
All of that helps create a better culture, which helps employers attract other workers. A better culture can also help reduce burnout and turnover, which have become major challenges after the pandemic. Some employers also use flexible scheduling to help improve equal access to jobs within their community — for instance, letting people work nights when that’s their only option.
What’s the short version?
Flexible scheduling has become a core benefit for nurses and clinicians, as well as a part of the culture for many healthcare employers. So, if you’re in the market for a new job, you should think of it as an essential — not only for the career benefits it provides, but also as a way to make sure you’re working with an employer or recruiter who you can trust to deliver the very best.
Find Career Opportunities with Plenty of Flexible Scheduling at the HealthTrust Jobsite
Not long ago, offering flexible scheduling was a bonus. Today, it’s the norm — and as an essential healthcare worker, you should expect nothing less! Make sure your next career opportunity offers flexible scheduling by finding your job at the HealthTrust jobsite.
