Despite an improved outlook on organizational health for 2024, the majority of healthcare executives are keeping an eye out for new positions, according to a recent survey.
AMN Healthcare, the largest provider of healthcare interim leadership and executive search services in the U.S., conducted its 2024 "Healthcare Leadership Trends Survey" between June 27 and July 21. The survey, now in its third year, gathered 666 responses from healthcare executives, 73% of whom work in hospitals and health systems, with the remainder dispersed among specialty health centers and clinics/group practices. C-suite executives and trustees made up 38% of the respondent pool (with 10% serving as CEOs); 8% were senior vice presidents or vice presidents; and 50% were directors or managers. Of those serving at acute care facilities, 49% come from hospitals with at least 500 beds.
Their answers reflected an unstable committment to their current organizations, although 74% said they are somewhat or extremely satisfied with their existing workplace. Sixty-six percent of executives said they intend to seek a new position, nearly two-thirds of whom would like to leave in the next 12 months, and 12% of whom want an immediate change.
It is not a major challenge for executives to take the leap when they decide the time is right; 4 in 5 healthcare leaders have been approached with a different opportunity in the past six months, they told AMN. Sixty-two percent of them said they did not pursue that opportunity. Vice presidents were especially vulnerable to outside offers, as 29% of this cohort reported accepting them, according to the survey.
Executives report that their top reasons to stay in their current position include their organizational culture (45% said this), compensation package (41%) and colleagues (34%). Despite a recent push toward flexible work, only 16% said flexible scheduling would influence their decision to stay; 14% said the same about a remote work option.
C-suites report that they are already missing pieces, with 44% of senior leadership teams facing shortages, according to the survey. Nearly half of organizations say they find it extremely challenging to find quality candidates for executive roles.
In spite of uncertainty about where their futures will lead them, 52% of healthcare executives expect better organizational health at their workplaces in the year to come.