Healthcare may be the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. financial system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but a new report shows it will soon lose the majority of its Gen Z workforce. It shows that it is possible.
Healthcare staffing firm Soliant recently released its 2024 Healthcare Employment Trends Report. The report states that more than 22% of Gen Z healthcare workers (ages 18-27) plan to leave the field within one to three years.
This is the highest level among workers who plan to retire in that short period of time compared to other age groups. Among Millennials aged 28-43, 5.4% of respondents said they plan to retire within one to three years, compared to just 2.5% of those aged 44-59. Ta. Among workers aged 60 and over, a lower proportion (15.2%) plan to leave the industry within one to three years.
According to the CDC, an estimated 22 million workers are employed across the healthcare industry in the United States. He pointed out that these workers face various dangers on the job.
“Medical roles can be demanding and often lead to high levels of stress and burnout,” Solianto said. “For young professionals who are passionate about their work, the desire to help others can sometimes conflict with the realities of the job. To address these issues, support systems, mentoring, and spiritual A multifaceted approach is needed, including programs aimed at improving health and well-being.”
According to the Soliant report, the top reason Gen Z healthcare workers plan to leave the field is “unhealthy work environment and culture,” with 14.5% citing job stress and burnout as reasons for leaving. There were fewer people than older generations. They also prioritized passion and career growth more than people over 60, who prioritize job security and community impact.
“They're tired of a system that treats them like expendable resources rather than talent,” human resources consultant Brian Driscoll said, according to a report published Wednesday by Newsweek. “Gen Z has grown up in a world where mental health is not taboo, boundaries are encouraged, and they have seen how unsustainable careers can ruin lives. They're not afraid, and frankly, who can blame them?”
Audacy has previously reported on the presence of Gen Z in the workplace. Just this week, a Google Workspace survey found that 82% of Gen Z workers admit to using artificial intelligence to get their jobs done. Another study earlier this month showed that nearly one in five managers (18%) are considering leaving their jobs due to Gen Z's behavior. At the same time, recent data shows that Gen Z is increasingly borrowing money to survive on financial support from their parents.
Hiring and retaining a new generation of workers is critical in the healthcare field.
“If this trend continues, the health care industry could face a talent crisis that will make the pandemic-induced workforce shortages look like a dry run,” Driscoll said. “But there is a silver lining here: this exodus could force systemic change, including improved working conditions, real investment in employee well-being, and more sustainable career paths. ”
According to the Children's Hospital Association, David Stillman, an expert on generation gaps in the workplace, explained that Gen Z grew up in an era of economic instability and has a unique perspective on work. For example, she said, they are more competitive than millennials, who are more collaborative. To retain Gen Z healthcare workers, he recommended leveraging this competitive advantage.
“This works because health care is a competitive field and there are a lot of opportunities to win,” Stillman said.
