In the bustling city of St. Louis, Dana, a 29-year-old nurse, starts her day by checking her phone to see if the gig nursing app CareRev still has her scheduled at the local hospital. For Dana, this routine is a gamble as cancellations are common. She has already arranged child care for her son, but a cancellation means missing out on a day of pay. The uncertainty of her work schedule adds stress to her already demanding job.
Moreover, Dana often finds herself in challenging situations at the hospital when her shift doesn’t get canceled. She may end up caring for 30 patients on her own or realizing that she should have brought her own medical supplies. The lack of proper orientation before starting work at a new health care facility leaves Dana feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. Navigating through supply closets, patient portals, and unfamiliar protocols becomes a daily struggle for her.
The emergence of gig economy labor models and algorithmic management technologies has made its way into the healthcare sector, affecting nurses like Dana. Major U.S. hospital systems have started integrating gig nurses into their operations through apps like CareRev, Clipboard Health, ShiftKey, and ShiftMed. These apps use cutting-edge artificial intelligence to match understaffed medical facilities with available nurses and nursing assistants seeking work. While these platforms offer flexibility in work hours, the reality of gig nursing paints a different picture.
Research conducted by a team of experts revealed that gig nursing apps are fostering a race to the bottom among healthcare workers. Nurses and nursing assistants often bid against each other for shifts, leading to algorithmic wage discrimination. Workers like Ashley, a nursing assistant in rural Pennsylvania, face additional challenges such as paying miscellaneous fees for every shift and being classified as independent contractors without minimum wage protection.
Patient care is also compromised under the gig nursing model. Nurses often lack proper training and support, leading to situations where patients feel like they are being cared for by random individuals. The reliance on algorithmic software for job applications and performance management further exacerbates the disconnect between healthcare workers and patients. The lack of human interaction and personalized care puts patient safety at risk.
Despite the praise and recognition received by gig nursing firms, the reality for healthcare workers like Shakayla in Los Angeles remains precarious. While the gig economy offers supplemental income, it comes at the cost of patient safety and job stability. The lobbying efforts of these firms to exempt themselves from existing regulations only deepen the crisis in the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the shift towards gig nursing in the healthcare sector raises concerns about worker exploitation, patient safety, and regulatory oversight. The need for sufficient staffing, proper training, and fair compensation is crucial to ensure quality healthcare delivery. As the gig economy continues to reshape the labor landscape, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.
