As we wrap up 2025, we’re excited to bring you the final episode of On the Clock // Off the Record for the year. This week, we sat down with Holly Bass, the Executive Director of the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO), to discuss the state of the healthcare staffing industry and what lies ahead.

Starting at the ground level as a recruiter at Medical Solutions, Holly climbed the ranks to leadership and now serves as a key advocate for the industry at NATHO. Her perspective is shaped by years of experience, including navigating the industry through challenging times like the 2008 recession and the slow post-pandemic recovery.

One of the key topics Holly shared was the perception of the healthcare staffing industry. Despite its critical role in delivering patient care, staffing firms often don’t get the recognition they deserve. Holly emphasized the importance of these organizations in filling essential roles and ensuring hospitals and clinicians can meet patient needs. This is a message of hope and motivation for leaders in the industry to keep pushing forward.

We also dove into the challenges facing healthcare staffing today. Budgets at hospitals remain tight post-pandemic, and rising premiums, along with cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, are putting pressure on the system. However, Holly highlighted a silver lining: NATHO’s 2025 Cost of Labor Study, conducted by the neutral firm KPG, shows that staffing traveling clinicians is more cost-effective than hiring permanent staff. This data is a powerful tool for facilities to make informed decisions about their workforce.

Holly also touched on the importance of advocacy. While healthcare workers and staffing agencies advocate for clinicians, who advocates for the agencies themselves? That’s where NATHO steps in, ensuring ethical standards and quality service across the board. At the end of the day, it all comes back to one goal: improving patient care.

Finally, Holly shared her thoughts on leadership in the industry. She reflected on the difference between mistakes of the mind—honest missteps that lead to growth—and mistakes of the heart, which stem from dishonesty. Her advice? Stay genuine, stay ethical, and keep learning.

This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a look at what’s next for healthcare staffing. As we close out the year, we’re reminded that the industry is “better together,” working toward shared goals for success and patient care.

Listen to the full episode now and join us in celebrating the end of 2025 with this thought-provoking conversation.

Thank you for an incredible year of On the Clock // Off the Record. We’ll see you in 2026!