70% of Gen Z healthcare workers expect to seek new roles

A survey released Sept. 16, 2026 found about 70% of Generation Z U.S. healthcare workers expect to seek a new role within the next year, compared with 59% of healthcare workers overall. The Harris Poll survey, commissioned by Strategic Education and Workforce Edge, drew responses from 1,514 healthcare employees and 304 employers between June 12 and July 1. The same workers still want stability: 65% expect to remain with one employer for five years or more, and 95% value job stability and long-term security. Only about 26% of employees strongly trust their employer to support long-term career growth, while 47% of employers cite inadequate advancement, training or education as a top reason workers leave. Seventy-five percent of workers want further education and 81% would consider employer-sponsored programs, yet only 48% of employers have a comprehensive workforce-education strategy; 89% of those with programs say they improve retention. Gen Z rates clear advancement opportunities important at 89%, versus 77% of older workers. Figures land against a projected shortage of nearly 500,000 healthcare workers by 2038. Coverage tracks this single survey release.