Nursing homes add jobs but remain below pre-pandemic staffing levels
WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES — The skilled nursing sector added nearly 3,000 jobs in April, continuing a slow but steady recovery, yet the industry still struggles to meet pre-pandemic staffing levels.
Nursing home facilities currently fall behind the rest of the healthcare sector, which creates doubts about the future accessibility of long-term care services as demands increase.
Skilled nursing job growth slows in April 2025
Since April 2024, the skilled nursing workforce expanded to nearly 46,000 workers, yet job growth in April 2025 failed to match both recent job gains and March’s significant increase of 11,300 positions.
American Health Care Association president Holly Harmon told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News that while progress is promising, staff numbers remain at pre-pandemic levels even when compared to other health settings.
“We are encouraged that we continue to see a steady increase in the growth of our workforce. But even now, five years later, the sector still has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels,” Harmon said.
The industry faces a critical shortage as it prepares for an influx of aging residents in the coming years.
Harmon urged Congress to protect Medicaid funding and invest in workforce solutions, emphasizing that nursing homes—unlike hospitals and ambulatory services—lack the resources to fully recover. Without faster hiring, many facilities risk being unable to meet demand.
Economic uncertainty and policy changes impact outlook
While the broader healthcare sector added 51,000 jobs in April—consistent with recent trends—economic instability could impact nursing homes differently.
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts reported a 10% revenue drop for healthcare REITs due to recent tariff hikes, but by late April, the losses eased to 2.8%.
Some operators, like Ensign Group, have improved staffing and reduced reliance on agency workers, positioning themselves for stability. Chief financial officer (CFO) Suzanne Snapper noted that a potential recession could bring more workers back into the field, easing hiring challenges.
However, lingering economic doubts and policy shifts keep the sector’s future uncertain.
Nursing homes should expect an increasing workforce while simultaneously dealing with staff shortages and financial constraints to maintain long-term care availability. Policymakers and providers alike face tough decisions in balancing resources and demand.
