Survey highlights the growing need for gig-style staffing models to address clinician engagement, patient safety, workforce shortages, and associated labor costs

Flexibility Rivals Pay as Top Driver of Nurse Satisfaction in 2025 Hallmark Workforce Trends Survey

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Lauren Bieke
lauren@emediajunction.com

Hallmark, a leading healthcare workforce manag ement technology company, has unveiled the findings of its 2025 Evolving Healthcare Workforce Trends Survey. The results signal a major shift in priorities–flexibility is now on par with pay as a defining factor in workforce decisions, reshaping how healthcare organizations must adapt to attract and retain talent.

“The healthcare industry is at a turning point,” said Hallmark's CEO, Bruce Cerullo. “Burnout, rising labor costs, and pervasive staffing shortages are forcing healthcare leaders to rethink traditional workforce strategies. This survey underscores the growing need for and value of gig-style staffing models to not only boost nurse satisfaction but also maintain exceptional patient care and operational efficiency.”

The survey gathered insights from over 1,200 senior healthcare leaders across the U.S., representing nursing, HR, IT, operations, and procurement professionals from a diverse range of organizations. Results reinforced the growing demand for flexible workforce solutions, with key findings including:

• 98% of respondents reported a surge in demand for flexible, gig-style work arrangements over the past one to two years.
• 78% identified flexibility as a top factor nurses value in workforce decisions, surpassing compensation, which only 17% ranked as a top factor.
• 67% noted that burnout and dissatisfaction are increasing due to a lack of flexibility.

Beyond flexibility, the survey also highlighted deeper challenges, including the impact of staffing shortages on patient care, financial strain from outsourcing, and technology limitations:

• Quality of Care is at Risk: 95% of healthcare leaders are concerned that inadequate staffing is affecting patient care, while 94% fear burnout is diminishing workforce morale and safety.
• Traditional Staffing Models are Financially Unsustainable: 89% of respondents feel pressure to reduce staffing costs, with travel and contract nurses inflating labor expenses by 20-50%.
• A New Model for Healthcare Staffing Is Emerging: 96% of leaders recognize that gig-style work will play a critical role in the future of healthcare staffing. Additionally, 94% believe their organization would benefit from technology that enables nurses to select shifts at their convenience, helping to reduce dissatisfaction and turnover.

“Healthcare leaders overwhelmingly recognize that gig-style staffing is the future, but the technology they rely on is failing them,” said Matt Dane, DNP, MBA, RN, Hallmark Regional Senior Vice President. “Right now, 94% of organizations use some form of staffing technology, yet nearly all struggle to integrate it in a way that actually fuels workforce flexibility. Outdated systems are creating barriers instead of breaking them down—leading to inefficiencies, rising costs, and frustrated nurses. Without modern, scalable solutions that truly support flexible staffing, organizations will continue to fall short in meeting both workforce and patient care demands.”

For a deeper analysis of the survey findings, download the full report, “The New Era of Healthcare Staffing—2025 Healthcare Workforce Trends.” For additional insights, explore the Executive Summary or visit the Hallmark blog.

About Hallmark

Hallmark offers a fully integrated SaaS platform for healthcare workforce management. Our Einstein II product streamlines sourcing and deployment of contingent clinical labor, while our Heisenberg II product automates the provider lifecycle from contracting to compensation, all with exceptional effectiveness, transparency, and cost savings. Partnered with our advanced strategies and deep expertise, Hallmark’s leading-edge technology solutions empower healthcare organizations to thrive. To learn more, visit: www.hallmarkhcs.com.

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Healthcare leaders overwhelmingly recognize that gig-style staffing is the future, but the technology they rely on is failing them.