Statistics for healthcare employment as presented by the BLS

	Good News at Last!
	"In this first newsletter of 2009, we take a look at the latest statistics for healthcare employment as presented by the BLS and examine how they relate to healthcare staffing."
	Recession, unemployment, foreclosures; these days it seems that there is nothing on the horizon except more bad news. For those yearning for something a little more positive, read on. The latest stats from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) are out and for those who are either involved in the healthcare industry or considering an expansion into it... the news is actually good, even great for the healthcare sector as a whole, especially when compared to other employment sectors. Other industries have seen the highest jobless rate since 1993 and overall employment losses for 2008 reached a stunning high of over 534,000. Healthcare on the other hand, showed an increase in employment again for December 2008 by adding over 31,600 jobs for the final month of 2008 and over 372,000 for 2008 as a whole. Not bad numbers at all when you consider the dismal stats for other sectors. In fact, healthcare as an industry showed growth of over 2.8% this year and the only healthcare sector to actually decline was Outpatient Clinics, with a decline in the final months of 2008. What's surprising however, is that even with the 4th quarter decline, even this sector was still able to boast an overall growth rate for the year of over 1.7%. In times of economic uncertainty it is easy to let our fears and anxiety about the future to cause us to take a dim view of things. So much so, that we can't see the positive-even when it's staring us right in the face. So here's to good news at last! With a brand new year looming bright and filled with possibilities, it feels refreshing to finally feel, good about something again.