Will there be an exodus of healthcare workers?

For the report, which was commissioned by Strategic Education and Workforce Edge, Harris Poll surveyed 1,514 U.S. healthcare workers ages 18 and older and 304 healthcare employers ages 21 and older between June 12 and July 1.

Although 72% of healthcare workers said they expect to stay with one employer long-term (5+ years), only 36% said they currently feel very valued by their current employer, and 41% said they feel very loyal. This may be why a significant number of healthcare workers (59%) say they are likely to look for new job openings, interview for, or switch to a new role within the next year.

The report also found that retention may be more challenging among Gen Z workers. While 65% of Gen Z healthcare workers said they expect to stay with one employer long-term, only 44% feel very loyal to their current employer, and 70% plan to look for new work within the next year.

When asked about what they prioritize in their current job, over 90% of respondents highlighted job stability, feeling that their work has purpose and meaning, and flexibility in when and how they work. However, professional growth is also important for many workers, with 88% wanting a clear connection between effort and reward, and 80% wanting clear opportunities for advancement.

Gen Z workers particularly value clear opportunities for advancement, as well as education and new skills, with over 80% listing them as important for these careers.

"A lot of young people now can't do the traditional paying for college on their own route," said Rebecca Purser, a research director at The Harris Poll. "They're able to get into the workforce and then hope to get some support from employers, as well, to perhaps further education or continuing their learning."

How healthcare workers feel about AI

The report also asked respondents about their current feelings on AI and its use in healthcare.

Overall, 72% of healthcare workers and 85% of healthcare employers said AI is becoming increasingly important in healthcare, but that human oversight would remain essential due to the nature of patient care. Two-thirds (66%) of healthcare workers also said they feel like they are less at risk of AI replacing their job entirely compared to workers in other industries.

However, workers still expressed concerns about AI. Forty percent of healthcare workers said they are concerned about the loss of human interaction due to AI, 37% said they are concerned about the accuracy and reliability, and 34% have data privacy and security concerns.

According to the report, trust is likely a significant barrier to AI adoption. Although 70% of employers believe workers trust their organization's implementation of AI, only 52% of workers said they at least somewhat trust their employer to implement AI responsibly. 

"These results suggest that both employers and workers recognize the value of preserving the human element in healthcare," Webb said. "While AI remains an important capability and can help streamline work and create efficiencies, the demands of patient care coupled with the need to protect sensitive health data require a more measured approach when it comes to implementing AI tools in clinical settings."