Introduction

America’s healthcare system is facing a talent crisis. With over 2 million open roles and growing shortages in urban hospitals and rural clinics, the need for reliable, mission-driven professionals has never been greater. At the same time, thousands of U.S. veterans transition out of military service each year, bringing with them a wealth of skills in leadership, trauma care, logistics, and crisis response. Healthcare offers them a meaningful second career and a renewed sense of purpose.

In this blog, we discuss the immense opportunity veterans represent for closing healthcare staffing gaps, the key challenges they face in transitioning to civilian healthcare roles, and how healthcare staffing agencies—especially veteran-focused firms like CWS Health—are stepping in as powerful bridges. We also explore real-life success stories, federal support programs, and actionable solutions to help veterans thrive in one of America’s most critical sectors.

Mission Reimagined: Why Veterans Are a Natural Fit for Healthcare

Healthcare has emerged as one of the most promising sectors for veteran employment after active duty. In fact, it ranks as the third most common industry for veterans post-service, following government and manufacturing roles (ACP USA). The combination of a rapidly aging population, rising chronic health conditions, and a pandemic-driven acceleration in healthcare demands has created a massive talent shortage—one that veterans are uniquely equipped to help fill.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the healthcare industry reported a 9.2% job opening rate as of September 2022, equating to over 2 million unfilled roles ranging from frontline caregivers to administrative and technical positions. These gaps exist not only in urban hospitals but are acute in rural clinics, long-term care facilities, VA hospitals, and home health services.

Veterans bring a host of highly transferable skills from their military service, like:

• Leadership and Discipline: Former military personnel often take initiative, maintain composure under pressure, and understand hierarchical systems, making them ideal for fast-paced healthcare environments like emergency departments or surgical teams.

• Teamwork and Communication: Veterans have experience working in tightly coordinated units, relying on clear communication and collaboration, an essential trait for multidisciplinary care teams.

• Stress Management and Adaptability: Combat and crisis training help veterans remain effective in high-pressure, unpredictable settings, a common reality in healthcare.

• Technical and Clinical Experience: Many veterans serve in roles as medics, lab technicians, or logistics coordinators. With additional certification, they can transition into civilian roles like EMTs, radiology techs, lab scientists, and healthcare administrators.

  
  

For example, a combat medic trained to provide trauma care in field hospitals may only need minimal bridging certification to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Similarly, logistics officers managing supply chains for medical equipment during deployment can shift into healthcare operations or procurement management.

Healthcare also offers purpose-driven work that appeals to veterans seeking to continue serving others, this time in civilian life. Whether it’s caring for patients, supporting underserved communities, or contributing to public health resilience, the healthcare field allows veterans to apply their values, integrity, and mission-oriented mindset in meaningful ways.

Why the Journey Isn’t Always Straightforward?

While veterans possess a wealth of highly applicable skills to healthcare, the path to civilian employment, especially in clinical and administrative roles, is rarely straightforward. The transition from military service to healthcare careers is often blocked by systemic, informational, and cultural challenges.

1. Credentialing Barriers

One of the most significant hurdles is the disconnect between military experience and civilian certification requirements. For instance, a combat medic may have years of trauma and emergency care experience, but without a civilian EMT license or nursing credential, they are not legally permitted to practice in most healthcare facilities. This results in highly capable veterans being required to start from scratch or repeat training they’ve already mastered.

Moreover, licensure varies by state, making the process even more complex and time-consuming. This leads to lost opportunities and deters many from pursuing healthcare roles altogether. According to the American Legion, only a small fraction of veterans with military medical experience end up working in civilian healthcare due to these regulatory hurdles.

2. Awareness Gaps and Limited Guidance

Many service members lack clarity about how their military roles translate into civilian job titles or healthcare career paths. For example, a logistics specialist may not realize that their experience managing supply chains under combat conditions could be highly valuable in hospital operations or health systems management.

Additionally, not all transitioning veterans are aware of support programs, training bridges, or the exact steps needed to enter fields like radiology, behavioral health, or clinical administration. This informational void can stall their career planning during a critical post-service window.

3. Cultural Adjustment and Workplace Integration

Veterans are used to the highly structured, hierarchical, and team-focused environment of the military. Civilian workplaces, especially in healthcare, can be more fluid, protocol-light, or ambiguous. This cultural difference can lead to frustration, miscommunication, or feelings of disconnection from coworkers.

For instance, tasks are often assigned with clear accountability in military settings. In civilian healthcare, roles may be more collaborative or less clearly defined. Veterans may find the shift in workplace dynamics, communication styles, or informal hierarchies disorienting.

4. Psychological Transition and Identity Shift

Leaving the military is more than a job change; it's an identity shift. Veterans often struggle with finding a new sense of purpose or belonging. This emotional transition can be even more daunting when combined with a challenging job market or feeling undervalued despite one's vast experience.

This is where programs like the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) play a critical role. Administered by the Department of Defense, TAP provides pre-separation counseling, employment workshops, resume help, and resources for navigating certifications. However, not all veterans fully engage with TAP or receive healthcare-specific guidance tailored to their skill sets.

Role of Healthcare Staffing Agencies in Bridging the Gap for Veterans

Transitioning from active duty to a civilian healthcare career can be a complex and overwhelming process for many veterans. While veterans often have extensive real-world experience in emergency medicine, logistics, behavioral health, and triage operations, they may not possess the civilian credentials or career navigation tools to enter the healthcare workforce efficiently.

Healthcare staffing agencies serve as critical allies in this journey, acting as translators, advocates, and facilitators. They offer personalized guidance and structural support that smooths the transition, aligns military experiences with civilian roles, and opens doors to long-term, fulfilling careers.

1. Skill Translation and Role Matching

Staffing agencies begin by decoding military occupational specialties (MOS) and aligning them with suitable civilian healthcare roles. For example:

• An Army Combat Medic Specialist (68W) can be matched with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) roles.

• A Navy Corpsman may transition well into hospital technician or surgical assistant roles with additional certifications.

These agencies help veterans recognize their own transferable skills and visualize a clear pathway forward. Some also use AI-driven tools or MOS translators to generate custom job matches, reducing guesswork and misalignment.

2. Credentialing and Licensing Navigation

One of the most significant barriers for veterans is the lack of civilian-recognized licenses despite extensive military training. Staffing agencies provide:

• Credential mapping—explaining which certifications are required based on prior military service.

• Partnerships with training providers to fast-track certification through bridge programs.

• State-by-state regulatory guidance helps veterans avoid delays or redundancy in training.

For example, some agencies collaborate with organizations like the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) to help streamline EMT or paramedic licensure for veterans trained in military emergency medicine.

3. Resume Optimization and Interview Preparation

Military terminology doesn’t always translate smoothly into civilian job descriptions. Staffing firms work with veterans to:

• Translate achievements into healthcare-centric language (e.g., “led medical evacuations under fire” becomes “managed emergency response and trauma stabilization under extreme pressure”).

• Build civilian-friendly resumes that align with healthcare hiring norms.

• Conduct mock interviews to improve communication, boost confidence, and address common employer misconceptions about veterans (such as concerns about adaptability or mental health)

This preparation ensures that veterans present themselves as top-tier candidates.

4. Placement into Veteran-Friendly Work Environments

Veteran success in the workplace is strongly influenced by organizational culture. Staffing agencies help place veterans into settings that:

• Have existing Veteran Employment Programs (VEPs) or are certified as Military Friendly Employers.

• Offer peer mentorship and onboarding tracks specifically for veterans.

• Are receptive to flexible scheduling and unique leave policies for Guard/Reserve service members.

This match-making process reduces friction and boosts long-term retention by ensuring cultural compatibility and psychological safety.

5. Post-Placement Retention Support

Veterans need a job with a sense of belonging and a clear growth path. The best staffing agencies offer:

• Structured follow-ups and performance reviews that focus on integration success.

• Career development coaching, such as helping an entry-level hire pursue RN or healthcare admin roles.

• Mental wellness check-ins are particularly for veterans coping with PTSD or adjusting to new team dynamics.

For example, some agencies partner with organizations like Give an Hour or the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to ensure placed candidates have access to mental health resources after transitioning.

How CWS Health Champions Veteran Careers

CWS Health goes a step further by embedding veteran support into the core of its staffing strategy. As a mission-driven healthcare staffing agency, CWS Health is committed to transforming the journey from military service to scrubs by:

• Customized Veteran Recruitment Pipelines: CWS actively recruits transitioning service members, military spouses, and reservists through veteran job fairs, base partnerships, and online veteran job boards.

• Credentialing Assistance: The agency provides guidance on mapping military healthcare roles to state-regulated certifications. Through partnerships with training providers and certification programs, CWS helps veterans bridge knowledge gaps and fast-track their credentials.

• Mentorship Programs: Recognizing the importance of peer support, CWS pairs veterans with mentors in healthcare who have successfully made the transition. These mentorships reduce isolation and boost confidence during the onboarding phase.

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Alignment: CWS Health positions veterans not just as skilled professionals, but as integral contributors to its clients’ DEI goals. Veterans bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and a mission-first mindset, enhancing healthcare teams in both rural and urban communities.

• Tracking Veteran Hiring Outcomes: With a data-first approach, CWS tracks placement rates, retention metrics, and promotion pathways for veterans, ensuring transparency and accountability in building inclusive workforces.

  
  

Through these initiatives, CWS Health is not only helping veterans find jobs—it’s helping them build sustainable, purpose-driven careers that honor their service and meet a national healthcare need.

Translating Service Skills From Military Roles to Civilian Healthcare Careers

Many military roles closely mirror their civilian healthcare counterparts—yet veterans often overlook how directly their skills apply. By understanding this alignment, veterans and employers can better recognize career pathways that honor military service while addressing critical staffing shortages. The following table offers a side-by-side comparison of common military occupations and their civilian healthcare equivalents. It highlights the transferable skills that make veterans uniquely valuable in clinical and administrative roles.

Government Incentives That Empower Veteran Hiring

The U.S. government has implemented several federal initiatives to support veteran employment, especially in high-demand sectors like healthcare. These programs not only create opportunities for transitioning service members but also incentivize employers and staffing partners to prioritize veteran hiring. Healthcare staffing agencies like CWS Health can serve as key facilitators in operationalizing these policies on the ground.

Key Federal Programs Supporting Veteran Healthcare Employment

The Human Impact: Real Veteran Transitions Into Healthcare

Real-life case studies offer a look into how veterans are thriving in healthcare roles, supported by staffing agencies, federal programs, and mission-driven organizations like CWS Health.

1. From Combat Medic to ER Nurse – Maria Thompson, Texas

After serving 8 years in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic (68W), Maria struggled with the state licensure maze. Through a SkillBridge internship arranged by a staffing partner and mentorship from a former military nurse, she now thrives in an ER unit in Austin.

“They didn’t just match me with a job. They translated my military journey into a civilian calling.”

2. Healing Others, Healing Self – Jason Lee, Pennsylvania

A former Marine Corps logistics specialist, Jason was dealing with PTSD and long-term unemployment. With support from the HVRP program and CWS Health, he secured a role in hospital supply chain operations.

“I’m still saving lives, just from a different front line.”

3. Mentorship that Made the Difference – Tina Morales, California

Tina, a Navy veteran, joined a clinical lab assistant role but lacked civilian experience. CWS Health’s veteran mentorship initiative paired her with another veteran in the lab sciences field, helping her upskill into a certified lab technologist role within 12 months.

“The mentorship gave me clarity, confidence, and community.”

4. Behavioral Health with Shared Experience – Damon Mitchell, Georgia

Damon, a former Army Behavioral Health Technician, wanted to continue helping others with mental health needs but lacked a civilian license. CWS Health guided him through fast-track certification and placed him in a VA outpatient clinic in rural Georgia.

“Veterans battling PTSD open up to me in a way they couldn’t with others. That trust matters.”

5. From Fleet to Pharmacy – Kelly Barnes, Florida

Kelly, a Navy logistics specialist responsible for managing pharmaceutical inventories aboard carriers, transitioned into a pharmacy operations coordinator role in a regional health system. The agency helped her navigate civilian compliance protocols and HIPAA training.

“I didn’t think my logistics background would count—but it turns out my skills are exactly what healthcare needs.”

Conclusion: Empowering Purposeful Careers, Enriching Healthcare Systems

The journey from military service to healthcare doesn’t end at honorable discharge; it transforms into a new mission of care, leadership, and resilience. Veterans possess the discipline, empathy, and adaptability that today’s healthcare system urgently needs. By breaking down credentialing barriers, aligning military roles with healthcare careers, and offering post-placement support, healthcare staffing agencies like CWS Health are doing more than just filling vacancies—they are building stronger, more inclusive care teams. When we empower veterans with the tools, mentorship, and pathways they deserve, we honor their service and strengthen our nation’s healthcare foundation, one meaningful placement at a time.

Build a resilient healthcare workforce with CWS Health’s tailored staffing strategies. Contact us today to create a hiring plan that works for you!