The healthcare workforce is showing signs of stability nationally, but rising patient volumes are straining capacity unevenly across regions and bed sizes. Health systems must adopt innovative staffing models and leverage technology, including AI, to improve workload and efficiency.

Overall, our 2025 analysis points to workforce stability. Turnover rates, particularly for nursing, remain consistent but high. Structurally and over time, there is cause for concern because head count is flat to declining and volume and wages continue to rise. This results in higher workforce budgets with less staff. Cumulatively, that puts pressure on margin, productivity, and most importantly staff workloads.

In this report, you will find data on employee head count, turnover, and span of control, as well as our take on what next steps your organization should take to prepare for future staffing needs.