Randstad’s healthcare employee confidence index fell in the fourth quarter. The index fell to a reading of 55.1 in the fourth quarter of 2013 from of 59.2 in the third quarter.

"Although confidence from the healthcare industry dipped in the fourth quarter, we see this as a temporary reflection," said Steve McMahan, president of Randstad Healthcare. “Overall, the healthcare landscape continues to thrive, and despite the slight decrease in our Employee Confidence Index in the last quarter of 2013, employees in the healthcare field remain generally positive, especially when compared to their peers in other industry sectors.”

Findings include:

• 56 percent of healthcare workers believe there are fewer jobs available, up from 44 percent in the prior quarter.
• 61 percent are confident in their ability to find a new job. This compares with 48 percent of workers in all industries combined.
• 46 percent of healthcare workers are likely to look for  a new job within the next 12 months, up from 31 percent  in the third quarter and 10 percent higher than all other industries combined.
• 75 percent of healthcare workers believe it is not likely they will lose their job, down from 81 percent in the third quarter.

The index is derived from a survey of 148 healthcare workers during October, November and December 2013.