As a medical trainee or practicing provider, your impact on the physician and nurse shortage is valued. Pressuring your commitment to patient care, however, are the realities of recruitment, compensation and career opportunities across the country. Want to know what new physician recruitment data means for your career? A recent survey on physician recruitment highlights both challenges and opportunities, offering valuable insight for job-seeking medical providers as you evaluate your next career move.

We analyzed how quickly open positions were filled in 2024 among key specialties and what percentage of those openings lead to a new hire. Results reveal not only where shortages are most acute, but also how those shortages may impact your career growth, work-life balance and job search strategy.

The numbers at a glance

Here’s what we found for eight high-demand specialties in 2024:

• Hospital Medicine: 67% of positions filled, 69 days to fill
• Family Medicine: 42% filled, 124 days
• OB/GYN (General): 40% filled, 97 days
• Internal Medicine: 48% filled, 118 days
• Anesthesia: 38% filled, 171 days
• Neurology: 37% filled, 144 days
• Cardiology: 37% filled, 248 days
• Radiology: 41% filled, 214 days

The data tells a compelling story: specialties differ widely in how long positions stay open and how many are ultimately filled. Some specialties, like hospital medicine, are relatively quick to recruit, while others—particularly cardiology and radiology—remain open for many months, even when recruiters work hard to fill them.

Career growth

For physicians, scarcity often translates into leverage. The specialties with the lowest fill rates and longest recruitment cycles—cardiology, radiology, neurology and anesthesia—are also those where demand is most intense.

• Cardiology: Long recruitment timelines reflect not only a shortage of candidates but also an ever-growing patient population with cardiovascular disease. For cardiologists, this means sustained demand, long-term job security and opportunities to negotiate compensation and benefits.
• Radiology: With imaging at the heart of modern medicine, radiologists will remain indispensable. The extended recruitment cycle highlights your negotiating power and underscores the importance of choosing a practice that values your contributions.
• Neurology: As neurodegenerative diseases rise with an aging population, neurologists will be at the center of critical care pathways. Job-seeking neurologists can expect abundant options and high clinical demand.

On the other hand, hospital medicine shows a different story. With 67% of positions filled in just over two months, hospitalists are highly sought after but also more readily available. For physicians entering hospital medicine, this suggests a competitive but still favorable job market where your skills will always be in demand.

Shortages and workload

The flip side of opportunity is workload. The same shortages that create strong demand for physicians can also stretch teams thin. In specialties like anesthesia and cardiology, fewer physicians may mean heavier call schedules, longer hours and greater pressure to take on additional cases.

For job seekers, this underscores the importance of looking beyond salary and signing bonuses. Ask potential employers about:

• Workload expectations: How many cases or patients per day are typical?
• Call schedules: Is there coverage to ensure time off?
• Team structure: Are advanced practice providers part of the care team?

Hospitalists and family medicine physicians, for whomwhich recruitment is somewhat more efficient, may find more structured schedules and opportunities for lifestyle-oriented positions—though demand still remains high.

Navigating the job search market

This means a number of things for your job search:

1. Specialty matters: If you’re in a field like cardiology, radiology or neurology, expect recruiters to reach out frequently. Your challenge will be choosing among opportunities rather than finding them. 
2. Geography counts: Beyond national trends, shortages are often most acute in rural and underserved regions. Being open to these locations can increase your leverage and accelerate your search.
3. Hospital medicine as a bridge: For many physicians, hospital medicine offers both immediate demand and flexibility. Because hospitalist positions are filled quickly, they can be an attractive entry point for new graduates or those seeking locums-to-perm arrangements.
4. Be strategic about timing: With average fill times stretching from three to eight months, starting your search early is critical. Particularly in specialties like cardiology or radiology, aligning your timeline with recruitment realities can ensure you land the position you want without unnecessary stress.
5. Make use of PracticeLink: In today’s fragmented hiring landscape, relying solely on word of mouth or recruiter outreach can limit your opportunities. PracticeLink’s provider-focused job board provides exposure to a wide range of employers and positions. By creating a profile, you make it easier for employers to find you, while also streamlining your own search by specialty, geography and practice type. This level of visibility can significantly shorten your job hunt and improve your chances of finding the right fit.

Shortage means opportunity

The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. The recent recruitment data confirms this is no longer a looming crisis—it is here. For providers, that means:

• Your skills are needed more than ever.
• You have leverage in negotiations.
• Your choices will shape not only your career but also patient access to care.

As you explore opportunities, remember the best job is not only the one that pays well but also allows you to practice sustainably, contribute meaningfully and enjoy a fulfilling life outside of medicine.

Recruitment metrics signal where the healthcare system is stretched and to what extent career opportunities are strongest. Whether you’re still in training, navigating opportunities or just considering a new start, understanding these trends will help you approach your job search with clarity and confidence.

At PracticeLink, our mission is to connect you with opportunities that match your skills, goals and lifestyle. In a market defined by shortage, your next step is not just a job—it’s a chance to shape the future of care.