If you’re considering a career in healthcare, you’re likely aware that it’s a field teaming with purpose but also comes with significant demands. One unexpected challenge for job seekers entering this industry is the “after-hours workload.” This refers to the responsibilities that persist beyond your scheduled shift. These additional demands can significantly impact your work-life balance and overall well-being in the long run.
Atlassian found 76% of working caregivers feel like “a whole new workday starts” when they finish their job and begin caregiving responsibilities. For job seekers, it’s important to recognize that healthcare roles often extend beyond regular hours, offering additional income. With these extended hours, professionals may find themselves covering for sick colleagues, managing financial pressures, or dealing with staffing shortages that can significantly impact their work, all contributing to a risk of burnout.
Covering Sick Shifts
When illness affects a healthcare team, the impact is felt immediately. Healthcare workers frequently take on extra shifts when their hours allow to ensure that patients continue to receive the care they need. While this demonstrates commendable dedication, it puts additional strain on already overworked professionals.
Working in this profession means you must constantly adapt to the unpredictability of illness, often sacrificing personal time to ensure continuity of care. Burnout and training gaps compound the stress caregivers face when illness impacts their schedules.
Overtime Pressures
For many healthcare workers,the decision to work beyond scheduled hours is not solely about patient care; it’s often about financial survival. With the rising cost of living and the added demands of the holiday season, many workers take the opportunity to pick up an extra shift, often taking them away from their families.
As The Arora Group shares, over time, it may feel like the best way to take control of finances, but the long-term toll includes exhaustion and mistakes. Job seekers should balance short-term financial benefits with the long-term risks of burnout. Staffing agencies offering balanced scheduling can help avoid this cycle.
Time-Off Impact
Extended hours can lead to fatigue for new hires, necessitating time off. However, consistent staffing is crucial for facilities. It’s essential to have support systems that balance workloads effectively. When considering a job, be sure to ask how the organization manages time-off requests and handles staffing gaps.
Healthcare Staffing Shortages
Healthcare staffing shortages remain one of the most pressing challenges in the industry, and job seekers entering the field should be prepared to face the following realities:
- Heavier patient loads – With fewer staff available, you may be responsible for more patients at once, which can increase stress and reduce the time you spend with each patient.
- Limited recovery time – Staffing gaps often mean fewer breaks and shorter turnaround between shifts, making it harder to recharge physically and mentally.
- Greater emotional strain – Balancing patient needs with limited resources can be overwhelming, especially for those new to the profession.
Job seekers should look for staffing agencies like Express Healthcare Staffing that provide flexible scheduling to help prevent burnout.
After Hours Support
Recognizing the immense weight of the second shift, Express Healthcare offers dedicated after-hours healthcare staffing and recruitment support.
- The Express Healthcare Staffing After Hours Call Center, based out of our international headquarters in Oklahoma City, OK, provides live staffing and recruitment support as an extension of local offices after business hours.
- Current hours of operation are 5 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Monday CT.
- Accessing the After Hours Call Center is simple: call your local Express Healthcare office, and you will automatically be transferred to our support team.
Why This Matters for Job Seekers
As you embark on your journey into the healthcare field or deepen your involvement within it, it’s crucial to recognize that your well-being should always remain a top priority. The demanding nature of this profession can often take a toll, making it essential to cultivate a balance that nurtures both your physical and mental health. By fostering self-care and seeking support, you can sustain the energy and compassion needed to thrive in this noble endeavor.
About Express Healthcare Staffing
Express Healthcare Staffing is in the business of people. We support local hospitals, clinics, and long-term facilities with exceptional medical professionals seeking new career opportunities. Through an individual approach to healthcare staffing, we help ensure the right fit for both the facility and the professional. For more information, visit ExpressHealthcare.com.
