Staffing revenue, as measured in SIA’s monthly Pulse Survey Report, jumped in January with travel nurse revenue leading the charge.

Revenue at firms taking part in the Pulse Survey rose by a median 10% year over year in January. In comparison, revenue had risen by a median 2% in December. However, the lion’s share of the growth was in travel nursing where revenue surged by a median 85% year over year.

Both per diem and life sciences staffing revenue rose 21% year over year in January; allied healthcare was up 14% and locum tenens’ revenue growth was flat.

Other segments did not show as quick a growth spurt. IT staffing revenue was up by a median 7% year over year in January while office/clerical revenue fell a median 5%. Some other segments were flat.

The survey also asked participants, “What is your company’s perspective on staffing platforms?” Fifteen of the 25 responses from healthcare staffing firms, 60%, referred to platforms as the future of staffing or are considering platforms going forward, and eight responses, 32%, mentioned the value of the human element or were not interested in platforms.

Example of comments on this topic included:

“We believe that there is a place for many models in healthcare staffing, from self-serve to heavy service. All should be supported, and we are looking at ways and putting things in place to be situated to serve clients and our temporary staff in the way they want to/need to be served.”

“We launched our platform last year. We're getting about 20,000 app downloads a month right now by healthcare people looking for jobs. This year we will grow about 1,000 percent. Every week is a record billing week.”

“Direction of the industry. Those who don't adopt will be left behind.”

“There is value in technology, but I think removing the human element of recruitment will cause problems. In our experience, hospitals put high value on bedside manner. Technology will not be able to determine personality traits or conversations and whether or not such nurses would fit with the hospital dynamic.”

A report that includes selected highlights from the Pulse Survey is available to corporate members of SIA; the full Pulse report itself is available only to companies that took part in the survey. For more information on participating in the next survey, contact SIA Research Analyst Curtis Starkey at cstarkey@staffingindustry.com.