MCNAIR, Va. — More than half of U.S. healthcare workers are preparing to leave their jobs within the next year, according to a new Harris Poll survey, raising alarms about workforce stability as the nation faces a looming shortage of nearly 700,000 physicians and nurses by 2037.
The survey, commissioned by Strategic Education, Inc., polled 1,504 frontline healthcare employees and 304 employers between June 26 and July 21, 2025. It found that 55% of workers intend to search for, interview for, or switch jobs in 2026, while 84% said they felt underappreciated by their current employer. Only one in five respondents believed their employer was invested in their long-term career success.
Burnout and dissatisfaction are widespread, but the poll also pointed to solutions. More than 60% of healthcare employees said they would be more likely to stay if tuition assistance or education benefits were provided. Younger workers, particularly those in Gen Z and Millennials, were most likely to cite education and career advancement opportunities as reasons for remaining with their employer.
“This research paints an alarming picture of a workforce at a crossroads experiencing high burnout, accelerating turnover, and intensifying demands,” said Jennifer Musil, Global President of Research at The Harris Poll. “Given the unprecedented need for care driven by the aging Baby Boomer population, these findings offer critical insights into how to better retain, support, and prepare the people at the heart of our nation’s healthcare system.”
The poll also underscored the impact of new technologies on the workforce. AI was identified as the top clinical and technical skill healthcare employees expect to need in the next five years, with 43% citing it as critical. Yet, 42% of employees worry that AI could replace parts of their jobs, while 92% of employers said training in AI skills is a priority — though most report difficulty finding resources to provide it.
“Investment in the advancement of employees is central to ensuring that the healthcare workforce feels appreciated and valued, while also prepared to meet new challenges, including AI,” said Adele Webb, Executive Dean of Healthcare Initiatives at Strategic Education. “As a nurse for more than 42 years, I have seen the expectation for employer-sponsored education grow among my colleagues as pressures and anxieties brought on by staff shortages and new technologies increase. This survey shows that continuing education should be at the heart of a strong healthcare retention strategy.”
The shortage is particularly acute in rural America, where two-thirds of counties are already designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, according to federal data. Experts warn that without greater investment in education and retention strategies, the system risks losing the very workers it needs most as demand for care rises.
Among the survey key findings:
Healthcare workers feel undervalued and under supported.
- Less than 1/3 of healthcare employees feel very valued by their current employer or very loyal to them.
- Only 1 in 5 healthcare employees feel their employer is very invested in their long-term career success beyond their current role.
The healthcare talent pipeline is leaking fastest among Gen Z and Millennials — those most critical to the industry’s future.
- Employers report that younger, early-career employees and nursing assistants / personal care aides are the hardest individuals or roles to retain (43% and 42%, respectively).
- 61% of Gen Z employees cite education benefits as a reason they stay with their current employer— far above average.
As AI Accelerates, So Does the Burden of Keeping Up.
- AI is the #1 clinical/technical skill healthcare employees expect to need in the next five years (43%).
- 42% of employees worry AI will replace some aspects of their job.
- Employers identify AI skills training as an organizational priority (92%), but 60% report that it’s difficult to find the right resources to provide training for these skills on the job.
Healthcare workers are interested in continuing their education and expect their employer to support them.
- More than 8 in 10 employees believe employers should be investing in their education.
- 63% of healthcare employees agree that they’d be more likely to stay with their employer if tuition support were provided.
Some healthcare employers believe employees leave due to lack of opportunity but only half are acting on it.
- Nearly half (48%) of employers note that lack of advancement and education opportunities as reasons that healthcare employees leave their organization.
- Only 47% use tuition assistance or education benefits as a retention strategy.
The full survey can be found here: HealthcareWorkforceSurvey.com
Survey Methodology:
The research was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on Strategic Education Inc. among 1,504 healthcare employees (U.S. adults aged 18 years or older who are employed full-time in healthcare and provide direct patient care in care-giving roles) and 304 healthcare employers (U.S. adults aged 21 years or older who are employed full-time in healthcare and provide direct patient care in director or higher roles and are responsible for training, hiring, and workforce development). The survey was conducted between June 26 and July 21, 2025.
