Employment in the U.S. healthcare sector grew by 17,000 jobs in April, although the national unemployment rate rose to 8.9 percent, according to recent data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job gains in healthcare have averaged 17,000 per month thus far in 2009, down from an average of 30,000 per month during 2008.
Overall nonfarm payroll employment fell by 539,000 jobs in April. Since the recession began in December 2007, 5.7 million jobs have been lost.