22% of young healthcare workers in U.S. plan to leave: Soliant
GEORGIA, UNITED STATES — The U.S. healthcare industry, a vital part of the nation’s economy, is on the brink of a workforce crisis as a significant number of its youngest employees consider leaving.
According to Soliant’s 2024 Healthcare Employment Trends Report, over 22% of Gen Z healthcare workers aged 18 to 27 plan to exit the field within the next one to three years. This trend is notably higher than that of older generations, with only 5.4% of millennials and 2.5% of those aged 44 to 59 planning similar exits.
Unhealthy work culture driving Gen Z exodus
One of the main reasons for this exodus is dissatisfaction with workplace culture and environment. Soliant’s report indicates that 14.5% of Gen Z workers cite an unhealthy workplace environment as their primary reason for leaving, surpassing concerns about job stress and burnout, which are more common among older workers.
“Healthcare roles can be demanding, often leading to high levels of stress and burnout,” Soliant emphasized, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to retain young talent.
Urgent need for systemic industry reforms
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll stressed the necessity of addressing these issues: “They’re tired of a system that treats them like expendable resources instead of people.”
Driscoll suggested that the potential departure of Gen Z workers could drive essential reforms in the industry.
“If this trend continues, the healthcare industry could face a talent crisis that makes the pandemic labor shortages look like a dress rehearsal,” he warned.
Leveraging competitive nature for retention
Experts recommend capitalizing on Gen Z’s competitive nature as a strategy to counteract this trend.
Workplace generation gap expert David Stillman advises tapping into this trait to enhance engagement and retention in healthcare roles.
“This plays out well in health care because it can be a competitive field and presents a lot of opportunities for wins,” Stillman noted.
Future healthcare workforce implications
As the healthcare sector continues its growth trajectory, maintaining a robust workforce is crucial. The potential loss of Gen Z workers underscores the need for improved working conditions and innovative retention strategies. Without these changes, the industry risks facing significant talent shortages that could adversely affect patient care and service delivery.
While the departure of Gen Z from healthcare presents challenges, it also offers an opportunity for transformative change within the industry. By addressing workplace culture and leveraging the unique strengths of younger workers, the healthcare sector can secure a sustainable future in the U.S.
