Healthcare staffing industry revenue is expected to grow 8% next year, down from an estimated growth rate of 13% this year, according to the most recent US Staffing Industry Forecast report from Staffing Industry Analysts. But opportunities abound, especially in niche areas. And the 8% growth — although it’s a deceleration — is still strong.

“The industry has been doing incredibly well; even that decelerating growth is still at healthy levels,” said David Francis, research analyst and an organizer of next month’s Healthcare Staffing Summit. “Revenue is still going up.”

Healthcare staffing got a boost from the Affordable Care Act which gave more people access to healthcare, Francis said. The economy has also improved, which increased turnover among healthcare workers.

But why the deceleration next year? As the revenue numbers get bigger, the more difficult it becomes to maintain such growth, he said.  In addition, hospitals have had more time to adjust to changing dynamics. Also, while there was in influx of newly insured individuals with the ACA, it too has begun to level off.

Francis said there remains opportunities in healthcare staffing niches, for example in schools or skilled nursing facilities.