The Rapid Rise of On-Demand Healthcare Staffing Platforms

The rapid growth of on-demand healthcare staffing platforms in recent years has been remarkable. It seems like every other week, a new provider announces additional funding, an expanding workforce, or skyrocketing revenue. This trend is hardly surprising, given how these platforms have enabled healthcare agencies to adapt to a rapidly shifting landscape, especially during the challenges of COVID-19.

So, what does this mean for healthcare agencies? Who are the players in this growing space, and why are they experiencing such phenomenal success?

Who Are These On-Demand Healthcare Staffing Platforms?

• Trusted Health: One of the pioneers in the on-demand healthcare staffing platform market, Trusted Health, made headlines in 2019 after securing $20 million in funding. The platform was adding 1,000 nurses to its pool every week and managed over 250,000 job positions in its first quarter alone.

• SnapNurse: According to SIA, SnapNurse experienced a meteoric rise during 2020–2021. By the end of 2021, the platform had registered over 150,000 healthcare workers and was on track to achieve $1.5 billion in revenue.

• CareRev: CareRev is the most recent on-demand platform making waves in the industry. It recently closed a $50 million funding round to expand its operations, boasting a network of 11,000 clinicians and partnerships with 30 facilities.

  
  

What Are These Platforms Offering Candidates?

In a previous article about Trusted Health, we highlighted the concept that “The Future of Healthcare Staffing is Mobile”—a notion that remains highly relevant today. At its core, the platform focuses on flexibility and improving the candidate experience, addressing inefficiencies in traditional recruitment methods.

Trusted Health’s mobile app empowers nurses to select where, when, and how they want to work, ensuring they’re quickly matched with suitable positions. This modern approach not only eliminates inefficiencies but also enhances the quality of matches for candidates and employers alike.

Given the tight labor market, the candidate experience has become critical. Trusted Health has demonstrated that empowering nurses through innovative technology can transform how they secure opportunities.

What Others Are Saying About This Model's Success

“SnapNurse disrupted healthcare staffing by creating a self-service model to accelerate the placement of healthcare providers,” said COO Jeff Richards. “It’s not a matter of insufficient supply. We have an abundance of qualified healthcare professionals, but the challenge has been connecting these individuals who are ready, able, and willing to go to the facilities that need them – and doing it efficiently.”

Jared Kesselheim, MD, managing partner at Transformation Capital, shared his perspective on CareRev’s impact: “CareRev’s scalable, differentiated approach — including intuitive technology for the two-sided marketplace — has shown us that the traditional, expensive, and resource-intensive staffing agencies are a thing of the past.”

Why On-Demand Healthcare Staffing is the Future

Healthcare workers and facilities alike increasingly view on-demand staffing platforms as a necessity for the future. Platforms like Trusted Health, SnapNurse, and CareRev are proving that modern technology and innovative business models can overcome inefficiencies, create better matches, and improve experiences on both sides of the equation.

At Vars Health, we partner with healthcare agencies to integrate this transformative technology, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve. Our mission is to help agencies adapt to this new model and unlock their full potential. To learn more, check out our case studies or schedule a meeting with one of our team members.