USA 
United Kingdom
More than half of frontline healthcare staff in the US are planning to leave their current roles, according to a new survey that paints a troubling picture of a system already under strain.
The Harris Poll, conducted on behalf of Strategic Education, surveyed 1,504 frontline healthcare workers and 304 employers this summer. It found that 55% of staff intend to look for, interview for or switch jobs in 2026.
Alongside that, 84% said they felt underappreciated by their employers, while only 20% believed their organizations were invested in their long-term career development.
Burnout and shortages intensify pressure
The report arrives as the healthcare sector continues to battle persistent workforce shortages and rising costs in the years since the pandemic. The Health Resources and Services Administration has projected a shortfall of nearly 700,000 physicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses by 2037.
“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,” said Jennifer Musil, global president of research at Harris.
Veteran nurse Adele Webb, who has more than 40 years of experience, said the data reflected a crisis point. “Healthcare is really at a critical juncture,” she said. “In my experience, it is worse than it’s ever been. We are losing more staff than we have ever lost. Jobs are harder, patients are older and more chronically ill. We do not have enough staff.”
Education seen as key to retention
One of the strongest themes in the findings was the role of career progression and education support in retaining workers. More than 60% of staff said tuition assistance would make them more likely to remain with their employer.
“A really surprising finding (was) the role that opportunities for continuing education and career advancement play in keeping our patient-facing healthcare workers at the bedside,” Webb added.
Younger workers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, were the most likely to be considering job changes and the most likely to identify education benefits as a factor that could keep them in post.
While staff burnout and shortages were not new, the severity of the situation is causing concern. The survey suggested that addressing educational opportunities and recognition may prove essential to stabilizing the workforce and avoiding further losses across the sector.
