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Five years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s healthcare workforce is still running on empty.
A Harris Poll survey conducted for Strategic Education, Inc. finds that burnout and turnover remain widespread, even as the U.S. faces a projected shortage of nearly 700,000 physicians, nurses, and other essential care workers by 2037. Yet amid the exhaustion, there is also hope: opportunities for education, advancement, and new skills could convince many to stay.
A Workforce at a Crossroads
According to our survey, 84% of healthcare workers feel taken for granted, and more than half (55%) plan to look for a new job or switch roles within the next year. Less than one-third say they feel very valued by their current employer, and only one in five believe their organization is deeply invested in their long-term career success.
“The data paints an alarming picture of a workforce under strain,” noted Jennifer Musil, Global President of Research at The Harris Poll. “Given the unprecedented demand for care, these insights highlight the urgency of supporting and retaining the people at the center of our healthcare system.”
Education as a Lifeline
Despite the fatigue, most healthcare employees are not ready to give up, they simply want a reason to stay. Nearly two-thirds (63%) say they would be more likely to remain with their employer if tuition support were offered. Employers see the same pattern: 48% cite lack of education and advancement opportunities as a top reason staff leave.
Younger workers are especially clear about what they need. Sixty-one percent of Gen Z employees list education benefits as the reason they stay with their current employer, far above average. “Investment in learning is central to retention,” noted Adele Webb, Executive Dean of Healthcare Initiatives at Strategic Education. “Continuing education helps healthcare professionals feel valued and prepared to meet new challenges, including the rise of AI.”
The AI Learning Curve
Artificial intelligence is now the top clinical or technical skill healthcare employees expect to need in the next five years (43%). But it is also a growing source of stress. Forty-two percent worry AI will replace parts of their job, and 60% of employers say it’s difficult to find the right training resources. Still, most agree that upskilling in AI and data-driven care is vital to the industry’s future.
A Call to Reinvest in People
Our findings revealed a profession that is stretched thin but not beyond repair. Education, career growth, and genuine investment in employees could turn the tide. The healthcare system’s biggest challenge may not be finding new workers, it’s convincing the current ones that their future still lies in care.
About the research
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll for Strategic Education, Inc. between June 26 and July 21, 2025, among 1,504 healthcare employees (full-time, patient-facing) and 304 healthcare employers (director-level and above responsible for training, hiring, or workforce development).
Explore the full findings and learn more on Strategic Education’s website.
