Over the past several years the term “gig work” has been on the rise. Especially during the pandemic, we saw a shift to more US workers seeking freelance work and more flexible work schedules. Gig work allows workers to have more autonomy in their schedule, giving them the opportunity to choose when they want to work and steering away from the traditional 9-5 job. 

Recently, we have also seen this transition in the healthcare industry, as short-term contract work is on the rise.  Short term staffing contracts are becoming more appealing in the healthcare industry due to it being a more cost effective option compared to long-term contract work. 

So, what does all of this mean for healthcare staffing companies? In this article, we will look at the opportunities this presents for healthcare staffing companies and dive into how staffing companies can adapt a mobile-centric staffing strategy to offer a competitive edge.  

The Rise of Locum Tenens and Per Diem

According to the 2025 SIA Healthcare Staffing Market Growth Assessment, locum tenens is experiencing consistent growth with a growth projection of 6% in 2025.  Over the next decade nurse practitioners are projected to grow by 46.3% and physician assistants are expected to grow by 28.5%. Per diem also presents an appealing option for the healthcare system as short term work provides flexibility and is a more cost effective option. 

The SIA Healthcare Staffing Market Growth Assessment also expects more healthcare professionals to seek flexible work schedules in 2025, including self-scheduling, part-time work, gig work, longer breaks between contracts, and seasonal roles. Healthcare workers are also prioritizing a more balanced work schedule to avoid burning out. 

Adopting a Mobile-Centric Staffing Strategy

With the rise of short “gig” type work in healthcare, staffing companies can home in on providing healthcare workers with this kind of work opportunity to attract and retain top tier talent. Mobile apps are a great way for staffing companies to tap into this market. 

The Power of Mobile Apps for a Gig Economy

Adopting a candidate mobile app into your tech stack gives nurses and other healthcare professionals the flexibility to search available shifts, apply, and even accept assignments on the spot. Some ATS’s now even have built-in AI tools that will automatically match healthcare professionals with shifts. Recruiters can set the criteria for the assignment and automatic shift invitations go out on specific days and times. Right from the staffing agency’s mobile app, nurses and other healthcare professionals can accept the shift on the spot. 

AI-Powered Shift Invitations

AI-powered shift invitations are not just the future of staffing, they are here. This gives nurses and other healthcare professionals the flexibility to self-assign themselves to shifts they want to work and helps staffing companies fill positions quicker. AI-powered shift invitations can be particularly helpful for staffing companies when needing to fill a mass order. 

Selling Point for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities 

On the other side of things, according to the SIA Healthcare Staffing Market Growth Assessment, healthcare facilities are also looking to tap into tech-enabled staffing platforms to get local talent on demand. This can be a big selling point for staffing companies.  Staffing companies have access to large talent pools and can access this talent on-demand—offering the ability to fill open shifts quickly. 

In-App Messaging 

Some mobile apps also offer the ability for nurses and other healthcare professionals to message with the recruiter in real-time. If the healthcare professional has questions about open shifts, this is a quick and easy way for them to reach out to the recruiter.

Credential Management

In healthcare staffing, credential management is key. The top healthcare staffing software platforms can manage credentials with ease and can send notifications out to healthcare professionals with expiring credentials. A mobile app can be another avenue for healthcare professionals to easily upload their credentials. In a gig economy, healthcare workers want to be able to work shifts as easily as possible. The ability to send out notifications to workers with expiring credentials is critical, but at the same time it is also critical to be able to easily upload credentials, hassle free.

Entering the “Gig App” World

Whether you staff in healthcare or other industries, the “gig” economy has been on the rise over the past several years. Being able to accommodate for it can help broaden talent reach. Freelance workers who may not normally work with a staffing agency can now work with them to find gig opportunities. In the healthcare industry, we can see from the latest healthcare reports that there is a “shift” happening in the healthcare industry. Nurses and other healthcare professionals are becoming tired of working long hours and are welcoming a more gig-type work style with open arms. Adapting to a “gig” healthcare community can help set your staffing agency apart. It not only opens your talent pool, but hospitals and healthcare facilities are seeking ways to easily hire short-term contract workers on demand. This becomes an additional selling point for your staffing agency. 

A candidate mobile app is the best way to accommodate for a gig economy, as everyone has their phone with them 24/7. It provides the flexibility gig workers are looking for. If you are not sure where to get started with adopting a mobile app, your staffing software is the right place to start. See if your staffing software has a mobile app that can accommodate some of the features discussed above because a whole new “gig app” world is here.

Interested in learning more about the rise of the gig economy? Join us at Staffing World on Tuesday, October 7^th between 1:10 – 1:20 PM for our Knowledge Hub Presentation on Stage 1. Learn about our speaker, Bob Pettke, a staffing industry veteran, here! 

Want to learn more about adopting a mobile app for your healthcare staffing agency? Schedule a demo of Ultra-Staff EDGE Staffing Software, a full front, middle, and back office solution designed for healthcare.