One-Third of Advanced Practice Clinicians on the Move
As healthcare employers across the country compete to hire top-tier talent, demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) continues to rise. These advanced practice clinicians now enjoy a wide array of career options - and healthcare organizations are feeling the pressure to refine their sourcing strategies.
To better understand the professional goals and expectations of this growing workforce segment, PracticeMatch surveyed 1,070 advanced practice clinicians. The results offer valuable insights for healthcare recruiters and sourcing specialists working to attract and retain NPs and PAs in a highly competitive market.
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Meeting the Needs of Advanced Practice Candidates
With the recent launch of APMatch - a job-matching platform created specifically for advanced practice providers - PracticeMatch aimed to gain a clearer view of what NPs and PAs value most in their job search. These clinicians are navigating a fast-paced hiring environment, and APMatch simplifies the process by connecting them directly with healthcare employers nationwide.
According to the survey, advanced practice professionals are well aware of their strong position in today’s job market. Over 80 percent of respondents reported being contacted by a recruiter, and nearly one-third expect to change jobs in the next few years. In fact, 16 percent of PAs and 19 percent of NPs plan to change positions within the next 12 months.
Recruitment Preferences and Relocation Concerns
For recruiters, the data underscores the importance of a candidate-first approach. Nearly half (43%) of respondents indicated they are unwilling to relocate for a new role, and only 20 percent are open to relocating beyond their current region. Competitive salary offers and relocation incentives - such as signing bonuses or reimbursement packages - are becoming essential in the recruitment conversation.
When evaluating new opportunities, candidates ranked the following as their top job priorities:
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Higher salary
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Better work/life balance
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Improved work hours
Most respondents expressed confidence in securing a new role within six months, suggesting that employers must act quickly and decisively to secure top candidates.
A Streamlined Solution for Connecting Talent and Employers
PracticeMatch’s APMatch platform addresses these hiring challenges by offering a direct line between employers and qualified advanced practice clinicians. With over 45 specialties represented and thousands of NP and PA profiles nationwide, APMatch helps recruitment teams source more efficiently using advanced search criteria and robust tracking tools.
Advanced practice clinicians also prefer more direct engagement: over 83 percent of survey respondents said they would rather be contacted directly by employers than by third-party recruiters. APMatch meets this need by facilitating direct employer-candidate communication, improving efficiency and strengthening candidate relationships.
Boost Your Healthcare Sourcing Strategy Today
As demand for advanced practice providers grows, recruitment professionals need tools that deliver efficiency, accuracy, and access. PracticeMatch’s APMatch platform is a strategic solution for sourcing NPs and PAs effectively - helping healthcare organizations meet hiring needs while supporting clinicians in finding the right fit.
Learn more about how APMatch can enhance your physician and advanced practice recruitment efforts at PracticeMatch.com.
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With a career focused on healthcare Business Development and Service Line performance, Paul had recently been at the forefront redefining the traditional In-house Provider Recruiting role. In his position as Medical Staff Development Officer at University Hospitals, Lake Health Region in Cleveland, Ohio, Paul integrated collegial interaction, analytics, and provider experience expertise to drive a differentiated recruitment strategy.
Paul has brought that knowledge and experience to Client Sourcing at PracticeMatch. Joining PracticeMatch in 2021, Paul supports Client Sourcing’s pro-active recruiting model that generates a robust prospect pool, creates an effective and efficient recruiting experience, and identifies key metrics to ensure optimal performance for the client. Paul has a commitment to learning, development and passion for building a team of recruiting professionals to leverage their national footprint which benefits its client organizations and their candidates.