Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
Q1 2011 - Market Summary

The near term demand for health care workers in the Charlotte metro rose slightly in the first quarter of 2011. Of note, Presbyterian Healthcare competed its four-story addition with 90 new patient rooms. They were also able to add 74 beds to their Hawthorne Lane facility. The Carolinas HealthCare System received approval for an expansion of 25 acute-care beds at CMC-Union. And finally, due to state regulatory changes, Mecklenburg County will gain 107 new hospital beds.

Q1 Workforce Announcements

Presbyterian Healthcare completes $58M addition. March 24, 2011
Presbyterian Healthcare has completed a $58 million project that will increase the patient capacity at its main campus in midtown Charlotte. The four-story addition features 90 new patient rooms and units dedicated to cardiology, neurology and oncology services. The project added 74 beds to its Hawthorne Lane facility - the first new acute-care beds in 32 years.
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2011/03/24/presbyterian-healthcare-completes-58m.html

Previous market news

Hospitals & Health Systems

Source: US News & World Report

Education Program Expansion and Closures

Funding cut means fewer slots for N.C. nursing students. March 4, 2011
There’s stiff competition to get into the region’s nursing schools - and it’s about to get worse. UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing has announced it will cut enrollment in its undergraduate-nursing programs by 25%.
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/print-edition/2011/03/04/Funding-cut-means-fewer-nursing-slots.html

Education Programs

Source: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Health of the Local Economy

Declining home prices may cause healthcare employees to seek additional hours from current employers, delay retirement plans and be more willing to relocate for a better job opportunities. Below is the Case-Shiller Home Price Index for the overall Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC market.

Source: http://www2.standardandpoors.com accessed 3/29/2011

Lower home ownership rates reduce the impact of home price fluctuations and increase the willingness of healthcare employees to relocate for better job opportunities. Below are home ownership rates for the overall Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC market.

Source: www.census.gov accessed 3/29/2011

The recent rising unemployment rates create new demands for health services. Higher unemployment shifts the mix away from higher margin procedures to more primary care in the emergency room and critical care for conditions that should have been treated early at a primary care physician. In general, rising unemployment also reduces turnover and engagement of employed workers, while low unemployment tends to increase intra market churn. Below are unemployment rates for the overall Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC market.

Source: www.bls.gov accessed 3/29/2011

Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market Pulse^TM Index

• U.S. Census Bureau Population 1,701,799, 34th largest market
• U.S Census Bureau Population 228th oldest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 27.9%, 16th fastest growing market