Healthcare Leads Job Growth in January

Demand for healthcare professionals remains high, but financial pressures pose challenges for employers

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The healthcare industry is facing a complex landscape, with high demand for workers, particularly nurses and nurse practitioners, driving up costs and leading to signing bonuses and generous benefits. However, some healthcare organizations are also grappling with financial constraints, resulting in job cuts in certain areas. Changes to immigration policies, specifically H-1B visas, are also expected to further complicate the healthcare workforce situation, potentially impacting underserved communities.

Why it matters

The healthcare industry's ability to attract and retain talent is crucial for providing quality care to patients, especially in light of an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The interplay of high demand, financial pressures, and evolving immigration policies highlights the need for healthcare organizations to adopt innovative strategies to build a diverse and skilled workforce.

The details

The demand for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and nurse practitioners, remains intensely competitive, with recruiters describing the current situation as 'a race to the finish line' for employers. This heightened demand is driving up costs, with many healthcare organizations resorting to substantial signing bonuses and generous paid time off packages to attract talent. However, despite national job growth in the healthcare sector, many health systems are simultaneously grappling with financial constraints, with almost a dozen hospitals and health systems announcing job cuts this year due to pressures related to reimbursement rates, funding changes, and the need to improve overall financial performance and operational efficiency.

  • In fiscal year 2024, nearly 17,000 H1-B visas were granted for positions in medicine and health, with approximately half allocated to physicians and surgeons.
  • A recent executive order implemented a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions, which are frequently used by healthcare employers to sponsor medical residents and physicians.

The players

Sari Gillen

A recruiter at Goodwin Recruiting who specializes in senior living and healthcare recruitment, based in Magnolia, Texas.

Goodwin Recruiting

A recruitment firm that has a presence in Texas, with Kalyn bringing experience across multiple industries to full-cycle recruiting.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.