The healthcare staffing shortage continues to challenge hospitals, clinics, and practices across the country, and even the world. By 2030, the World Health Organization predicts that there could be a shortfall of 11 million healthcare professionals globally, a gap that will impact nations at every level of development.
In this blog, we’ll explore several strategies that can be implemented to help you manage the current shortages in the US, and mitigate future challenges:
Table of contents
- Causes of staffing shortages
- Areas affected most by the staffing shortage
- What we can do to address the healthcare staffing shortage
What are the most common causes of healthcare staffing shortages?
While there are many factors that have contributed to the healthcare staffing shortage in the US, these are the most prevalent and consequential. Let’s dive into the reasons why the healthcare staffing shortage has persisted over the years.
The aging population
As life expectancy continues to rise, the growing elderly population requires increased medical care and support. Studies have found that the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to rise significantly, from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050. This shift is driving higher demand for healthcare professionals across all specialties. At the same time, many experienced providers are nearing retirement, creating an urgent need for new talent to enter the field and fill critical roles.
Burnout
The ongoing shortage of healthcare workers continues to place a significant strain on employees, often leading to increased stress, longer hours, and higher rates of burnout. These challenges were only intensified by the pandemic, which prompted some to leave their roles or the healthcare field altogether. As a result, the demand for skilled professionals remains high, making workforce support and retention more important than ever.
However, the American Medical Association found that for the first time in several years, less than 50% of healthcare workers have reported feelings of burnout from their jobs. While burnout levels are still high, we’ve seen a slight improvement since 2021.
The Great Resignation
Another negative consequence from the pandemic is a phenomenon called the Great Resignation. This term refers to a large number of workers who voluntarily left their jobs in recent years due to the decline in job satisfaction, increased politicization of healthcare decisions, and broader workplace challenges. In fact, in 2021, over 47 million Americans left their jobs. Although these workers were not exclusively healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry experienced one of the most significant losses, with staffing shortages far outpacing many other sectors.
Administrative burden
Healthcare professionals are also being driven to leave their jobs due to the burden of electronic health record tasks and billing. Oftentimes these duties consume valuable time that could be spent on providing patient care. As documentation demands continue to rise, the strain on providers becomes a significant factor in workforce turnover.
Funding
Organizations are struggling to keep up with recruitment and retention efforts with minimal funding, further causing healthcare workers to exit the industry. Over the past year, the cost to replace a staff RN rose by 7.5%, averaging around $56,300. To attract and retain top talent, organizations need to be able to offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful support programs, alongside other initiatives that show genuine investment in employee wellbeing and growth. Unfortunately, these solutions are often out of reach for facilities already operating under tight budgets, which creates a cycle that’s difficult to break.
Limited training opportunities
A lack of educational resources and support has made it more difficult to train the next generation of healthcare professionals, further contributing to the shortage of workers. Some nursing and allied health programs have even had to turn away qualified applicants due to limited funding for faculty, facilities, and clinical placements.
Areas affected most by the staffing shortage
The staffing shortage has affected many different professions along the way, but the three most negatively impacted have shown to be CNAs, RNs, and physicians.
Certified nursing assistants (CNA)
When it comes to healthcare staffing, CNAs are in the shortest supply nationwide. This is especially severe in nursing homes, where CNAs provide essential hands-on care and support. The shortage, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, has only intensified due to high turnover, low wages, and limited recruitment pipelines. According to a survey by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), 94% of long-term care facilities are currently experiencing staffing shortages.
Registered nurses (RN)
The nursing shortage is also extremely common among RNs across many facility types, including nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics. According to projections from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this shortage is expected to persist through to at least 2037, with an estimated 280,000 RN positions needing to be filled nationwide. This growing gap is driven by factors such as an aging workforce, increased demand for healthcare services, and limited capacity in nursing education programs.
Physicians
Another area that is being highly affected by the healthcare shortage is within the physician field. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that there will be a shortage of around 86,000 physicians by 2036. Without strategic intervention, this shortage threatens to widen gaps in care, increase wait times, and place additional strain on already overburdened healthcare systems.
Learn how to attract and retain candidates
Check out our blog for expert tips on attracting and retaining top healthcare talent to strengthen your organization.
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