55% of healthcare workers plan to change roles within 1 year: Survey

More than half of U.S. healthcare workers plan to change roles in the next year, according to a recent survey from Strategic Education.

Fifty-five percent of respondents said they plan to search for job openings, interview for new positions or switch roles within a year — either within their current organization (38%) or externally (40%).

The survey, conducted for the publication education services holding company online by the Harris Poll between June 26 and July 21, included 1,504 U.S. adults employed full time in direct patient care roles, as well as 304 U.S. adults 21 and older who provide direct patient care in director-level or higher roles with responsibilities related to hiring, training or workforce development.

Here are 11 things to know from the survey:

Why workers are eyeing the exit

1. Nearly half of respondents planning to leave cited inadequate compensation and benefits (49%), burnout (48%) and a lack of career advancement opportunities (48%) as key drivers.

2. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they feel “very valued” by their employer. Meanwhile, 37% said they feel “very loyal” to their employer, and 37% said they are “very satisfied” with their current role. In contrast, 42% said they feel underappreciated by their manager or supervisor.

3. Eighty percent said they believe healthcare workers are taken for granted, and 45% said the public values them more than their employers do.

4. Employers said younger and early-career employees are the hardest to retain. Nursing assistants and personal care aides were reported as the most difficult roles to retain.

Career development and education

5. Twenty percent of employees said their employer is “very invested” in their long-term career success beyond their current role.

6. More than 80% said employers should invest in continuing education. Seventy-five percent of employees said they are interested in pursuing more education, and 54% reported having access to education benefits.

7. While 75% of employers said they offer education benefits, they estimated that fewer than 2 in 5 employees use them.

8. Nearly 40% of employees said education or training opportunities are a reason they stay with their current employer — a figure that increases to 61% among Gen Z respondents.

Artificial intelligence a key priority, but concerns linger

9. More than 40% of respondents said AI is the No. 1 clinical or technical skill they anticipate needing in the next five years. More than half said AI skills are becoming increasingly important in healthcare.

10. Although 92% of employers said AI skills training is a priority for their organization, 60% said they struggle to find the right resources for it.

11. Concerns about AI persist: 42% of respondents fear it may replace some aspects of their role, 41% said they feel comfortable using AI tools, and 36% feel they are falling behind peers in other industries when it comes to AI and new technologies.

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