MEMORANDUM
To: XXXX XXXXXX, JD, LLM, Assistant Professor
From: XXX X XXX
Date: March 31, 2023
Subject: Advice to Human Resource Practitioners on Managing Pros and Cons of Traveling Healthcare Workers
I am writing to provide advice to human resource practitioners on how to manage the pros and cons of traveling healthcare workers. This topic is of great importance as it directly impacts the staffing and operational needs of healthcare organizations. In this memo, I will break down my findings into four categories: causes of the issue/concern/topic importance, behaviors or attitudes resulting from the issue/concern/topic, performance implications, and recommendations.
1. Causes of the Issue of Concern
The need for traveling healthcare workers has increased in recent years due to various factors, including an aging population, a shortage of healthcare professionals in certain areas, and the need for specialized care. Although traveling healthcare workers provide many benefits, such as filling staffing gaps and providing specialized care, there are also potential drawbacks, including decreased continuity of care and increased costs. The importance of managing the pros and cons of traveling healthcare workers is crucial for healthcare organizations to ensure optimal patient care while also managing costs.
The issue of traveling healthcare workers can elicit a range of opinions and perspectives depending on the stakeholders involved. Some general feelings from different perspectives include:
From the perspective of top managers:
Top managers may view traveling healthcare workers as a necessary solution to staffing gaps or as a way to bring in specialized expertise (Gamble, 2002). However, they also tend to be concerned about the direct and indirect costs as well as the impact on the organization's reputation and may be hesitant to rely too heavily on outside workers.
From the perspective of middle and lower managers:
Middle and lower managers may see traveling healthcare workers as a valuable resource that can help them meet staffing needs. However, they may also be concerned about the potential challenges of integrating these workers into their teams and ensuring continuity of care. They may also be responsible for overseeing the work of traveling healthcare workers, which can be challenging if they are not familiar with the organization's policies and procedures (Spurk & Straub, 2020).
From the perspective of employees themselves:
Permanent staff may view traveling healthcare workers as a potential threat to their job security or as a source of
…healthcare workers. This may include guidelines for when and how traveling healthcare workers are used, expectations for
and orientation. The organization should also address morale and
concerns among permanent staff to ensure a positive and productive work environment. This may include providing opportunities for permanent staff to provide input on the use of traveling healthcare workers, promoting a
of inclusion and collaboration, and recognizing and rewarding the contributions of all staff members.
Additionally, the organization should monitor the costs associated with traveling healthcare workers to ensure that their use is financially sustainable. This may include tracking expenses related to travel, housing, and other expenses associated with traveling healthcare workers, and regularly evaluating the return on investment. It should also provide training and orientation for traveling healthcare workers to ensure that they are prepared to provide quality patient care and collaborate effectively with permanent staff.
In conclusion, managing the pros and cons of traveling healthcare workers is a critical concern for human resource practitioners in the healthcare industry. By developing policies and procedures, addressing morale and engagement concerns, monitoring costs, and providing training and orientation, organizations can ensure optimal patient care while also managing costs and…
