More than half of healthcare workers want to leave their jobs

For the survey, Strategic Education commissioned the Harris Poll to conduct a survey of healthcare workers and their current feelings about their jobs. The Harris Poll collected responses from 1,504 frontline healthcare employees and 304 healthcare employers between June 26 and July 21, 2025.

According to the survey, more than half of healthcare workers (55%) said they plan to look at job openings, interview for, or switch to new roles within the next year. Of these workers, 38% said they plan to look inside their current organization, and 40% said they plan to look outside. Only 37% of respondents said they were very satisfied with their current jobs.

The top reasons workers cited for planning to leave include inadequate compensation and benefits; burnout or emotional fatigue; and a lack of career advancement, personal development, or education opportunities.

Few healthcare workers felt like their employers are invested in their long-term career success. Among those who feel like their employer is less invested, 55% said that, besides pay or salary, they feel this way because their employer doesn't offer or doesn't communicate opportunities for upskilling or further education.

Healthcare workers want to further their education

Educational opportunities have become important for many healthcare workers, with 75% saying they are interested in continuing their education. However, 58% of workers said they are hesitant to explore educational opportunities because of potential student debt.

Some changes that could make it easier for healthcare workers to use education benefits include PTO or time during work to attend classes or do schoolwork, flexible schedules, financial assistance, and reduced workloads during their time enrolled in classes. 

Commentary

According to Jennifer Musil, global president of research at the Harris Poll, the survey provides employers with new ways to retain their employees.

"This research paints an alarming picture of a workforce at a crossroads experiencing high burnout, accelerating turnover, and intensifying demands," Musil said. "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."

Similarly, Adele Webb, executive dean of healthcare initiatives at Strategic Education, said that
"[i]nvestment in the advancement of employees is central to ensuring that the healthcare workforce feels appreciated and valued, while also prepared to meet new challenges, including AI."