How VC-Backed Platforms Are Reshaping Healthcare Staffing
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Hospitals are short-staffed, clinicians are burned out, and traditional staffing models are straining under pressure. In response, a new generation of VC-backed platforms is reshaping how healthcare organizations find and engage talent — from per diem shift apps to credentialing solutions and niche clinical staffing networks.
Inside this in-depth look, we examine the ascension of healthcare staffing companies, pinpoint the innovators shaping the market, and analyze the trends that will shape the next chapter of the $20B+ industry.
Shortages in the health care workforce predated COVID-19. The pandemic only intensified the need for more flexible staffing solutions:
Venture capital quickly followed the opportunity. Over the past five years, hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed into companies promising to modernize how healthcare workers and facilities connect — across shifts, contracts, and careers.
For instance, ShiftMed, a prominent on-demand staffing company for the healthcare sector, has raised a total of $250 million, including a $200 million Series D round in February 2023. Similarly, Nomad Health, which connects clinicians with freelance clinical work, has secured $241 million in funding, with a $22 million Series D round in June 2024.
Today’s healthcare staffing landscape isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how the major categories are taking shape:
Companies like Clipboard Health, IntelyCare, connectRN, and Nursa make it easy for facilities to fill open shifts — and for nurses, CNAs, and clinicians to work when and where they choose.
These platforms are mobile-first, real-time, and driven by flexibility, helping hospitals and senior care centers solve last-minute staffing challenges while giving workers control over their schedules.
Key companies:
IntelyCare, connectRN, Nursa, CareRev, NurseDash, KARE Heroes, Patchwork, ShiftMed, ShiftPosts, Dropstat, Matchwell Inc, Rota, DOCS (ICON plc), Wheel, Alto
Longer-term, higher-paying contract work — often across state lines — remains critical to hospital operations, especially for specialized roles.
Companies like Nomad Health, Trusted Health, and AMN Healthcare are modernizing the travel nursing and locum tenens experience with better credentialing, transparent pay, and tech-enabled matching.
Companies: ImIn, Nomad Health, Trusted Health, Stability Healthcare, Vivian, Cross Country Healthcare, AMN Healthcare, American Mobile Healthcare, Epic Staffing Group, Coast Medical Service, MedPro Healthcare Staffing, Next Move, Avant Healthcare Professionals, Maxim Healthcare Services, Health Advocates Network, MedSmart, RepuCare, Trusted Health (hybrid)
Full-time hiring remains vital, especially in an industry where continuity of care is key.
Key company: Incredible Health
Why it stands out: Unlike the dozens of VC-backed platforms focused on per diem or travel staffing, Incredible Health is the only one in this report focused exclusively on permanent roles.
Its model is also flipped. Instead of clinicians applying to hospitals, hospitals apply to nurses — significantly reducing time-to-hire and improving match quality. It’s a distinctly long-term, worker-first approach that sets it apart in a category dominated by shift work and short-term contracts.
Healthcare staffing isn’t limited to hospitals. A growing group of companies specialize in dental and veterinary staffing — fields that face similar workforce shortages.
Companies like Cloud Dentistry and roo.vet are helping dental offices and veterinary clinics find skilled professionals for both permanent and temporary roles.
Key companies:
Cloud Dentistry, Kwikly Dental Staffing, GoTu, Toothio, roo.vet
The aging population and growth of in-home care are fueling a major need for senior care staffing companies.
Solutions like KARE Heroes and Gale Healthcare Solutions focus on matching healthcare workers with home health agencies, senior living centers, and assisted living facilities — offering per diem and longer-term shifts.
Key companies:
KARE Heroes, Gale Healthcare Solutions, RepuCare
Companies are increasingly prioritizing the clinician experience, offering features like real-time shift matching, mobile-first interfaces, and transparent pay structures. For instance, Vivian Health, often dubbed the “LinkedIn for healthcare,” facilitates 15% of the nation’s travel nursing placements, equating to $1.5 billion in annual labor spend.
Artificial intelligence and automation are streamlining staffing processes, from credentialing to shift scheduling. Companies like Nomad Health utilize machine learning to match clinicians with suitable job opportunities efficiently. Nomad Health has raised a total of $241 million over multiple funding rounds, underscoring investor confidence in tech-driven staffing solutions.
Speed and efficiency in credentialing are critical. ShiftMed, a mobile app connecting healthcare workers and providers, secured $200 million in funding to enhance its platform, focusing on streamlining credentialing and compliance processes.
Clinicians are demanding greater transparency regarding compensation. Companies that provide clear, upfront pay information are gaining traction. For example, Vivian Health’s transparent job postings have contributed to its significant role in the travel nursing market.
Clinicians — especially per diem and hourly workers — increasingly expect to be paid quickly. In response, several staffing companies are integrating same-day pay or earned wage access (EWA) options to improve worker satisfaction and retention.
For example, IntelyCare offers daily pay to its nursing professionals, allowing them to access earnings immediately after a shift. This feature has become a key part of the company’s value proposition — especially in a labor market where cash flow and flexibility matter just as much as hourly rates.
Companies that offer faster access to wages are not only meeting financial expectations — they’re building loyalty in a workforce known for high turnover.
The gig economy model is permeating healthcare staffing, offering clinicians flexibility in their work schedules. ShiftMed’s platform allows nurses to select shifts that fit their availability, contributing to its rapid growth and substantial funding.
Analyzing the fastest-growing healthcare staffing companies surfaced a clear pattern: success in this space isn’t random — it’s built around a few critical principles.
Here’s what the most successful VC-backed companies are doing right:
Nurses, aides, and clinicians are the lifeblood of any healthcare company — and successful companies treat them that way.
Real-time shift matching, mobile-first experiences, 24/7 support, and pay transparency are no longer “nice to haves” — they’re mandatory to attract and retain talent.
One way companies are improving the worker experience is by expanding payment flexibility—offering healthcare workers options like paycards or instant pay to meet them where they are financially.
Facilities need workers now. Workers want to start earning fast.
Top companies have invested heavily in credentialing automation, background check integrations, and instant onboarding tools to eliminate traditional delays.
Companies that show workers the shift pay upfront — without hidden fees or surprises — are outperforming those that don’t. Wage inflation has made transparency an even bigger differentiator.
Clinicians want to set their schedules, not be forced into rigid staffing models.
Companies like Clipboard Health and IntelyCare have proven that offering maximum flexibility boosts worker loyalty and fills more shifts.
The best companies don’t try to serve everyone.
Whether it’s per diem nursing, travel contracts, dental staffing, or senior care, the most successful companies double down on a specific worker type, clinical setting, or geographic market — then expand methodically.
This deep dive is just one part of our larger analysis covering 200+ VC-backed staffing companies across sectors — including healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, and professional services.
Stay tuned for:
Follow along as we explore the future of staffing — and the companies building it.
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