JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Unemployment has run out and companies are looking to hire, but no one is applying. Some of the greatest jobs to be filled are in the medical field.

According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the greatest demand for employment is in the medical field, particularly nurses.

Tim Moore of the Mississippi Hospital Association said it was their duty to defend hospitals across the state. He said the lack of people to fill jobs stems in part from the pandemic and the increased need for healthcare workers across the country.

Moore said many healthcare workers have been pulled from Mississippi to help other states fight the pandemic. Other factors include better competitive pay, people leaving the state, and some people leaving the medical field because of the pandemic. He also said that with some nationwide COVID vaccine mandates, the issue could also push some people over the edge.

“There are a lot of fears that this will happen to some extent. There are three different streams there. There’s the OSHA regulations, the direct contract with the government and the staff, and then there’s the CMS, the health side. Since day one, we have supported the vaccination of healthcare workers for many reasons. protect the patient, protect yourself, protect your family at home,” he explained.

Moore said being in healthcare is a very rewarding career and it takes action to make people see it and remember it.

He said if things continue on this same trajectory, we could see major shortages of medical personnel for years to come.