Photo: skynesher/Getty Images Employment numbers for April showed little change in healthcare jobs or in any sector of the economy except for leisure and hospitality, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in figures released on May 7. A boost in 21,000 jobs in ambulatory healthcare services was offset by the loss of nurses in nursing care facilities, where an estimated 19,000 positions were lost. Since February 2020, as the pandemic took hold in the United States, healthcare employment is down by 542,000 positions. $300 BONUS CHECKS TO BLAME? Some blame some of the lackluster job numbers on the $300 weekly bonus checks provided by the American Rescue Plan. Combined with unemployment benefits, the total funds for those making around $30,000 a year could add up to more than what they would earn by returning to the workforce.