The healthcare industry is increasingly embracing digital platforms to address workforce shortages, a new report published by the Roosevelt Institute on Tuesday sheds light on the rise of what’s being called the “Uber for nursing.” This growing trend leverages gig economy platforms and artificial intelligence to match nurses with shifts at hospitals and healthcare facilities. While marketed as a solution for workforce shortages, the report warns that this model could depress wages, jeopardize worker protections, and even threaten patient care.
Titled “Uber for Nursing: How Gig Work Devalues Care,” the report raises urgent concerns about the implications of treating healthcare as just another gig economy sector. “This isn’t just about wages,” the report states. “It’s about the future of work in a field where the stakes are life and death.”
What Is “Uber for Nursing”?
Nursing gig apps function much like ride-hailing or delivery platforms. Facilities post open shifts, and nurses can claim them on-demand through mobile apps. Algorithms match workers to shifts based on criteria such as location, licensure, and availability. The platforms tout flexibility for workers and efficiency for employers.
However, as the report highlights, this flexibility often comes at a cost. While these apps provide nurses with short-term opportunities, they also strip away the stability and benefits that come with traditional employment.
Key Findings from the Report
The Roosevelt Institute report makes a compelling case against the unchecked growth of nursing gig platforms, highlighting several risks:
- Lower Pay Through Algorithmic Competition
The report describes how app-based gig nursing encourages a “race to the bottom” in wages. “Nurses are effectively competing against one another, often accepting lower pay rates to secure shifts,” the report states. This dynamic undermines collective bargaining agreements and sets a precedent for devaluing skilled labor in healthcare. - Erosion of Worker Protections
Unlike full-time or even part-time employees, gig nurses hired through apps lack key benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. “Nurses on these platforms are treated as independent contractors,” the report explains, “leaving them without the safeguards that traditional employment provides.” - Risks to Patient Safety
A significant concern highlighted in the report is the potential for compromised patient care. “Healthcare is not a gig,” the report argues. “Patients suffer when facilities rely on temporary staff unfamiliar with their protocols or patient needs.”
The Role of AI in the Gig Nursing Model
Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in powering these platforms. Algorithms are designed to optimize shift matching based on criteria like cost efficiency, availability, and skills. While this increases operational speed, it also introduces biases that could exacerbate existing inequities.
For example, the report notes that algorithms may favor nurses willing to accept lower wages, effectively sidelining experienced or unionized workers. “The use of AI prioritizes cost savings over quality,” the authors write, “which is a dangerous precedent for a profession built on trust and expertise.”
Why Gig Nursing Is Growing
The gig nursing trend is growing against a backdrop of widespread workforce challenges in healthcare. Staffing shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have left many hospitals scrambling for solutions.
In 2023 alone, more than 100,000 nurses left the profession, citing burnout, inadequate pay, and lack of institutional support. Hospitals, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, increasingly rely on short-term staffing fixes—opening the door for gig platforms.
But these platforms aren’t addressing the root causes of the crisis. “What we’re seeing is a band-aid solution to a systemic problem,” the report notes. “Gig work might fill shifts, but it doesn’t solve the structural issues driving nurses out of the profession.”
Nurses and healthcare workers are already feeling the impact of these platforms. One nurse interviewed for the report shared:
“I used one of these apps when I couldn’t find stable work, but it’s not sustainable. The pay was inconsistent, and I felt like I was constantly starting over at every shift.”
Another healthcare administrator expressed concerns:
“While gig nurses help in a pinch, the continuity of care suffers. Patients notice when staff are unfamiliar with their needs.”
Balancing Innovation with Ethics
The potential of digital platforms and AI in healthcare is undeniable. These tools could streamline staffing and provide flexibility for nurses who need it. But as the Roosevelt Institute’s report underscores, innovation must be implemented responsibly.
“Healthcare is not the same as ride-hailing or food delivery,” the authors conclude. “The stakes are simply too high to prioritize profits over people.”
Policymakers and healthcare leaders must act to regulate these platforms, ensuring they benefit both workers and patients. This could include establishing minimum wage standards, requiring benefits for gig workers, and implementing safeguards to protect patient care quality.
The rise of “Uber for nursing” reflects a broader shift toward gig work across industries, but healthcare is a sector where this model carries unique risks. As AI continues to reshape the workforce, it’s vital to ensure that human needs—fair pay, stability, and patient safety—remain at the center of these innovations.
The debate isn’t just about technology; it’s about the kind of healthcare system we want to build. Will it be one that values short-term fixes or one that invests in long-term solutions?
Read the Full Report
Dive deeper into the Roosevelt Institute’s findings by reading the full report, “Uber for Nursing: How Gig Work Devalues Care,” available here.
Sources
- Roosevelt Institute: “Uber for Nursing: How Gig Work Devalues Care”
