As life expectancy is expected to increase, the number of working years may too. This has alarmed some experts who argue it is time to reassess the way we work in society to make the extra time less daunting, The Atlantic reported Dec. 14. 

Hospitals that invest in nurse burnout reduction programs may see less burnout-attributed nurse turnover and associated costs, according to a new study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Patient Safety.

The youngest members of the workforce may have a major role to play in increasing union support and activism, Fortune reported Dec. 14. 

New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health has sent nurses to two Upstate hospitals amid a COVID-19 surge in western New York.

Healthcare employment declined at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and remains below expected levels through November 2021, a new Kaiser Family Foundation chart collection shows.  

Kentucky's nursing shortage prompted Gov. Andy Beshear to sign an executive order Dec. 9 declaring that the situation amid a deadly global COVID-19 pandemic is an emergency.

As hospitals face capacity constraints amid a COVID-19 surge, some states have enlisted the National Guard to help staff healthcare facilities, The New York Times reported Dec. 9.

Some 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in October, indicating workers' willingness or ability to leave jobs amid labor market disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released Dec. 8 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Five Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems were chosen to participate in a new statewide music therapy program supporting front-line healthcare workers who are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The University of Maryland Medical System is offering a community college tuition assistance incentive program to registered nurses and other clinical workers, part of a $5.1 million investment in employee recruitment, the Baltimore-based organization announced Dec. 6.

Pending litigation over federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers has caused some hospitals and health systems to reevaluate their mandate decisions as the omicron variant spreads and the delta variant remains dominant in the U.S.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York City is imposing a vaccination mandate for private-sector employers, according to CNBC.

Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare said it is rolling out various efforts to fast-track its hiring process so the health system can fill vacancies more rapidly, especially in nursing, and reduce the workload for staff.

Hospitals lost jobs in November after gaining them the previous month, according to the latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This year has highlighted a tense relationship between employers and employees, with record numbers of staff walking off the job in search of better conditions, a healthier lifestyle or a change of scene. The new year could force employers to up the ante and hand out raises if they want to hold on to employees, Fortune reported Dec. 1.

Unemployment rates declined year over year in 386 of 389 metropolitan areas, increased in one area and remained unchanged in two areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Dec. 2. 

As vaccination mandates have become all but universal across the healthcare industry, unvaccinated workers have few employment options. Suspended or terminated health system employees who wish to remain in the healthcare field may have to reconsider their stance on vaccinations, and some of these organizations are giving the option to former staff to rejoin if they get vaccinated. 

As part of efforts to recruit and retain workers, McLaren Flint (Mich.) Hospital is offering $1.5 million in student loan repayment benefits to more than 100 employees, the hospital announced Dec. 2. 

Amid the emergence of the omicron variant, hospitals and health systems continue to battle staffing challenges.

Hospitals and health systems are suspending COVID-19 vaccination mandates as legal proceedings are pending over the CMS vaccination policy for eligible staff at healthcare facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.