State of Healthcare Workforce 2025
A Look at the State of Healthcare Workforce 2025
Every year, GoodWork Health, a leading healthcare recruitment platform, conducts a comprehensive survey of healthcare workers in its expanding network. In 2025, the survey gathered feedback from 3,545 healthcare professionals spanning multiple fields, including both permanent and temporary positions. The breakdown of respondents is as follows:
- 68% Registered Nurses (RNs)
- 14% Allied Health Professionals
- 7% Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) / Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
- 4.5% Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- 6.5% Other healthcare roles
Survey participants were categorized as follows:
- 42.9% Travel nurses
- 38.5% Permanent staff nurses
- 18.6% Other types of employment
A concerning trend emerged as the number of healthcare professionals contemplating leaving the industry continues to rise. In 2024, 80% of respondents indicated they would likely remain in healthcare post-COVID-19. However, by 2021, 43% expressed interest in leaving the profession. Now, over 67% of respondents in 2023 are considering leaving healthcare within the next five years.
Challenges Contributing to the Exodus
The pressures caused by COVID-19 have exacerbated pre-existing staffing shortages, especially as the need for temporary personnel continues to grow. While travel nurses have provided flexibility during these times of crisis, the long-term solution lies in attracting and retaining permanent staff. Adequate permanent staffing not only improves patient care but also reduces burnout rates among healthcare professionals.
According to GoodWork Health's 2023 survey, more than half of the permanent nurses indicated they were likely to change jobs within the year. Key factors influencing their decision to leave included:
- Compensation – Although 73.5% of respondents reported increased earnings in 2024 compared to 2025, many healthcare workers noted that the financial increase was largely due to longer hours and mandatory overtime, rather than higher base pay rates. Compensation remains a primary consideration, especially for travel nurses. Travel nurses, for example, reported an average desired hourly rate of $52 for permanent roles, with nurses in states like Florida seeking even higher pay ($72.71 per hour).
- Quality of Life and Morale – Work-life balance and job satisfaction have become increasingly important. According to the survey, 76.4% of healthcare professionals reported worse morale compared to the previous year, up from 72% in prior assessments. Healthcare employers have not done enough to support mental health, with over 79% of respondents stating that their employers were not providing adequate mental health support.
- Staffing Shortages – In 2023, 44.4% of respondents reported their departments were consistently understaffed, with an additional 28.2% experiencing frequent staffing shortages. Overall, 46.6% indicated that staffing shortages had worsened compared to the previous year, significantly increasing stress levels and dissatisfaction.
Strategies for Improving Recruitment and Retention
As more healthcare professionals seek new opportunities—either actively or passively—health systems must rethink their recruitment strategies. The key to improving these efforts is enhancing the candidate experience. According to GoodWork Health's findings, employers must prioritize the following strategies:
- Responsiveness and Timely Feedback – Candidates appreciate quick responses throughout the hiring process. Providing clear, timely feedback can build rapport and trust, making healthcare workers feel valued.
- Transparency – Transparency is vital when it comes to pay, benefits, and support services. By openly sharing these details, employers can equip candidates with the necessary information to make informed decisions.
- Engagement – Employers should engage with candidates to understand their needs and what they prioritize in a job. Personalized communication can make a big difference in both attracting and retaining talent.
While the survey data presents a concerning outlook for the healthcare workforce, GoodWork Health remains committed to supporting healthcare workers across the nation. With a focus on improving transparency, offering unbiased employer reviews, and providing innovative recruitment technology, GoodWork Health is dedicated to ensuring stability and satisfaction for those exploring new opportunities within healthcare.
To learn more about the challenges facing healthcare workers and the strategies that can help address these issues, you can download the complete State of Healthcare Workforce 2025 report from GoodWork Health.