Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1533298
11 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE of political changes, we remain committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and safe while ensuring every patient receives care that is respectful and responsive to their needs. At the end of the day, we remain dedicated to providing exceptional, accessible, and equitable healthcare to our community. at is simply good, responsible healthcare," said Ms. Visconi. Ms. Langley sent a similarly strong message about Desert Valley Medical Group's DEI plans amid the executive orders: the team will continue to prioritize patient care. "While we continuously assess and refine our practices to align with regulatory requirements, we do so with the singular goal of enhancing patient outcomes and experiences," she said. "Our commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care will always be the foundation of how we operate, regardless of external changes." n NCLEX pass rates slightly improve By Paige Twenter I n 2024, 73.26% of registered nurses who took the National Council Licensure Examination passed the test — a slight increase from 2023's average of 69.66%. Nearly 42,000 fewer RNs took the NCLEX in 2024 (317,710) compared to 2023 (358,998), according to data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. These figures include all candidates, including first-time and repeat test takers, as well as those educated in the U.S. and internationally. When focusing on U.S.-educated RNs taking the test for the first time, 91.16% of 186,686 passed in 2024. In the year prior, 88.56% of 186,350 passed. Among all practical nurse candidates, 79.07% of 63,142 NCLEX takers passed in 2024, while 74.54% of 65,679 NCLEX takers passed in 2023. For U.S.-educated PNs, the passage rate for 50,570 first-time test takers was 88.38% in 2024. Similar to the other year- over-year results, 2024 slightly outpaced 2023's passage rates: In 2023, 86.67% of the 47,552 U.S.-educated PNs taking it for the first time passed the test. The rising passage rate of the NCLEX is the subject of some controversy among critics of the test and nursing school curricula. n Healthcare job cuts fall 11.9% year over year By Kelly Gooch T he healthcare sector, including hospitals, healthcare providers and manufacturers of health-related products, saw a decrease in job cuts in 2024 compared to the year prior, according to one new analysis. The findings come from a Jan. 9 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an executive coaching firm that examines job cuts by U.S.-based employers. Healthcare employers announced 51,588 cuts in 2024, down 11.9% from the 58,560 job cuts announced in 2023. Last year, Becker's reported more than 70 hospitals and health systems cutting jobs. Across all 30 industries and sectors Challenger, Gray & Christmas measures, companies announced 761,358 job cuts in 2024, up 5.5% from 721,677 announced in 2023. It is the highest annual total since 2020, when 2,304,755 cuts were announced. n 3 in 5 healthcare workers skeptical of AI's role in career growth: Survey By Kristin Kuchno H ealthcare workers were the least likely to agree that artificial intelligence skills are necessary for career advancement, according to a Jan. 30 LinkedIn News post. About half of U.S. workers said they believe gaining AI skills will help them get ahead, according to the Sept. 21-Dec. 13 survey of 12,698 U.S. LinkedIn members. Product management professionals were the most likely to see AI as essential for career progression, with 83% agreeing. e U.S. average across industries was 52%. Some professionals within roles at hospitals and health systems were more confident in AI's effect on their personal career progression, including marketing (68%) and information technology and human resources (both at 61%). Among healthcare services professionals, 41% said they believe AI skills will help them advance. n