company 
(800) 366-1884 
Back to The Workforce Optimization Blog
Navigating 2026: Locum Tenens and Permanent Staffing Trends Every Hospital Administrator Should Know
As we approach 2026, hospital administrators are navigating a complex staffing environment driven by workforce shortages, shifting clinician preferences, and the growing adoption of flexible staffing models.
At VISTA Staffing Solutions, we’ve been tracking these trends closely to help healthcare organizations stay ahead of the curve. Whether you manage a large urban hospital or a rural health system, understanding the interplay between locum tenens and permanent staffing is crucial for maintaining high-quality care, financial stability, and clinician well-being.
A Workforce Crunch
The U.S. healthcare system is bracing for a shortfall of over 4 million professionals by 2026. This includes critical roles such as nurse practitioners, nursing assistants, and home health aides—positions that form the backbone of routine patient care. The drivers are multifaceted: mass retirements, burnout, career dissatisfaction, and capped residency slots are all contributing to the squeeze.
States like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida are expected to be hit hardest due to aging populations and rising chronic disease rates. In fact, more than 6.5 million healthcare workers are projected to leave the workforce by 2026, creating a vacuum that hospitals must urgently address.
Locum Tenens Evolves from Stopgap to Strategy
Locum tenens staffing has evolved from a reactive solution to a proactive strategy. In fact, locum tenens providers now account for 37% of the fastest-growing healthcare staffing firms, up from 16% last year.
Specialties such as anesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry continue to lead locum utilization, but demand is expanding across disciplines.
Hospitals are increasingly integrating locums into long-term workforce planning, especially in rural and underserved areas.
These professionals offer coverage flexibility, reduce burnout among permanent staff, and help maintain continuity of care during seasonal surges or unexpected vacancies. Moreover, locum tenens physicians have maintained strong billing rates post-pandemic, with some specialists—like surgeons and oncologists—seeing pay increases, according to Definitive Healthcare.
Burnout Leads to the Continued Popularity of Gig-Style Work
Burnout remains a critical issue. More than half of frontline healthcare workers report high levels of emotional exhaustion, and many are shifting to part-time or gig-style roles. Younger physicians, in particular, face challenges in balancing clinical demands with family responsibilities and administrative burdens.
Facilities that invest in clinician well-being—through manageable workloads, team support, and mental health programs—are better positioned to retain talent. But retention alone isn’t enough. Nearly 96% of healthcare leaders predict that gig-style roles, such as per diem and float pool engagements, will be core to staffing strategies by 2026.
Flexible work models provide autonomy to clinicians and offer on-demand coverage to hospitals. These include short-term assignments, job sharing, and hybrid roles that blend in-person and remote care. For many physicians, locum tenens work provides the variety, earning potential, and flexibility they crave.
The Clinical Workforce Is Increasingly Mobile—and Multi-State
Interstate licensure compacts—such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the Nurse Licensure Compact—are expanding, enabling clinicians to practice across state lines more easily. This mobility enables the rapid deployment of locum tenens and telehealth providers, particularly during emergencies or seasonal demand surges.
The rise of virtual care is also fueling demand for remote-ready clinicians. Hospitals are increasingly hiring virtual nurses and telehealth-capable permanent and locum physicians who can serve patients across multiple states. This model not only enhances coverage but also reduces fatigue among permanent in-house staff.
Advanced Practice Providers Are Being Tapped to Bridge the Gap
As older physicians retire, advanced practice providers (APPs), such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are stepping in to maintain continuity of care. These professionals are managing cases that were historically physician-led, helping ease the load and fill gaps in patient access.
APPs are particularly valuable in primary care, urgent care, and chronic disease management—areas where demand is rising due to demographic shifts and the prevalence of conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Technology’s Role in Staffing Efficiency
Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming how hospitals recruit, credential, and schedule in-house, permanent staff. AI tools are now used to:
- Screen resumes and match candidates
- Track compliance and licensure
- Optimize shift scheduling based on predictive analytics
These innovations reduce administrative overhead and accelerate time-to-hire, especially for high-volume roles. Hospitals that embrace tech-enabled staffing solutions will gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.
How to Prepare for the Future
To thrive in 2026 and beyond, hospital leaders must adopt agile, resilient staffing strategies. Here are key recommendations:
- Streamline Onboarding and Credentialing: Ensure your systems can efficiently process out-of-state candidates and telehealth providers to facilitate seamless credentialing. Partner with staffing firms that understand multi-state compliance.
- Embrace Hybrid Staffing Models: Blend permanent hires with locum tenens, virtual roles, and contingent labor pools to create a more flexible workforce. This will help you manage variable demand while reducing burnout.
- Prioritize Clinician Well-Being: Implement programs that support mental health, work-life balance, and professional development. Offer mentorship, clear growth pathways, and recognition programs.
- Invest in Workforce Analytics: Use data to forecast staffing needs, identify burnout risks, and optimize shift coverage. AI-powered tools can help you stay proactive rather than reactive.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: Work with staffing agencies that offer rapid deployment, credentialing support, and access to a national pool of clinicians. VISTA’s expertise in locum tenens and permanent placement can help you navigate complex workforce challenges.
The healthcare industry is undergoing a profound transformation—and so is the workforce behind it. In 2026, staffing success will hinge on flexibility, foresight, and a commitment to clinician well-being. Locum tenens professionals are no longer just temporary fixes; they’re strategic assets in a hybrid staffing ecosystem.
At VISTA Staffing Solutions, we’re here to help hospital administrators build resilient teams that deliver high-quality care, no matter the challenges ahead. Let’s shape the future of healthcare staffing—together. Learn More
