The U.S. could see a shortage of 100,000 healthcare workers by 2028, with nursing assistants most in demand, according to a healthcare labor market report from New York-based consulting firm Mercer.
Mercer examined 88 healthcare occupations, projecting the surpluses and shortages for each one, resulting in the total net shortage.
But labor needs can vary widely by state. Mercer expects California, Pennsylvania and Texas to have the highest overall surpluses of healthcare workers by 2028, while New York could have a deficit of more than 61,000.
Looking at specific occupations, Mercer projects a serious shortage of nursing assistants. The report estimates only a few states will have enough to meet their needs, with California, New York and Texas having the most critical shortages.
"Healthcare systems struggle to attract and retain talent in roles with less-steep education or certification requirements, such as nursing assistants," said Dan Lezotte, partner in Mercer’s U.S. Workforce Strategy and Analytics Practice. "They increasingly compete for this talent not only with each other but also with potentially better-paying employers outside of healthcare."
Nationally, Mercer estimates a need for more than 73,000 additional nursing assistants by 2028. The report speculates the deficit could result in additional work for registered nurses already feeling high rates of burnout and attrition, and competition for workers may drive wages higher in some states.
