A new national survey suggests healthcare employers could face an additional retention challenge as they work to address projected workforce shortages over the next decade.

The 2026 Healthcare Workforce Barometer, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Strategic Education and Workforce Edge, found that 70% of Gen Z healthcare workers surveyed plan to look for a new role within the next year.

Across healthcare workers of all ages, 59% reported plans to look for another position.

The survey included 1,514 U.S. adults working full-time in healthcare and providing direct patient care, along with 304 healthcare employers. It was conducted between June 12 and July 1.

Career advancement appears to be one of the biggest issues for younger workers.

Among Gen Z healthcare workers surveyed, 89% said clear opportunities for advancement are important, while 86% said they believe additional education or new skills will help them advance in their careers.

Across all healthcare workers surveyed, 80% said advancement opportunities are important, but only 26% said they trust their employer to support their long-term career growth.

The survey also found strong interest in continuing education. Seventy-five percent of healthcare workers said they are interested in degrees, certifications or skills-based learning, while 81% said they would welcome an employer-sponsored education benefit.

Artificial intelligence produced a different picture.

Sixty-six percent of healthcare workers said they believe workers in their field are less likely to have their jobs completely replaced by AI than employees in other industries. However, only 48% said they were comfortable using AI-based tools in their current job.

The findings come as the federal Health Resources and Services Administration projects continued healthcare workforce shortages through 2038.

HRSA projects a nationwide shortage of approximately 108,960 registered nurses and 245,950 licensed practical nurses by 2038. The agency also projects a shortage of roughly 141,160 physicians.

The projections are especially notable for rural communities. HRSA estimates nonmetropolitan areas could face an 11% shortage of registered nurses by 2038, compared with about 2% in metropolitan areas. Physician shortages are also projected to be considerably larger in nonmetropolitan areas.

Those figures are national projections and are not specific forecasts for Mercer, Auglaize or surrounding counties.

The Harris Poll notes that the survey measures workers' intentions and attitudes and does not mean every respondent who says they plan to search for another job will ultimately leave their current position.