Mega Doctor News
By The American Health Care Association (AHCA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association (AHCA), the nation’s largest organization representing long term and post-acute care providers, released updated data showing that nursing homes continue to make progress in strengthening their workforce. The sector gained 40,700 jobs in 2025, and nursing turnover and agency use rates are declining. While headed in the right direction, continued support from policymakers is needed to accelerate workforce efforts and keep pace with the growing aging population in the United States.
“We are incredibly encouraged by the positive trends in the nursing home workforce in 2025,” said Clif Porter, AHCA President and CEO. “Our profession is only as strong as the great individuals providing care to our residents, so we’re excited by the significant workforce growth in 2025. Facilities are taking initiative to reduce turnover and agency use, ensuring more consistent care. In 2026, our work continues to foster this pipeline of passionate, skilled professionals into our centers to provide the high-quality care our residents expect and deserve.”
Notably, the Nursing Home Workforce Report demonstrates that 2025 showed positive trends for the profession:
In 2025, nursing facilities increased their workforce by 40,700 total jobs, an average of about 3,400 workers each month.
Sixty-two percent of providers say their overall workforce situation has improved over the past year.
Facilities are focused on investing in a stable workforce and supporting career advancement:
Temporary staff agency usage has decreased by about 44 percent since Q4 2022.
Nursing staff turnover has been declining since 2022.
Wages continued to increase for nurses and direct caregivers by more than 3.4 percent.
Sixty percent of providers say they have provided new or additional training and 55 percent have expanded promotional and career paths for employees.
While significant progress has been made, challenges remain as competition for skilled caregivers remains stiff in the healthcare sector:
While other healthcare settings have gained new jobs compared to early 2020, the nursing home workforce is 1.7 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
Ninety percent of providers say staff recruitment remains difficult.
The Nursing Home Workforce Report illustrates the need for a unified effort among providers and policymakers to continue workforce development efforts and prepare to meet the needs of an aging nation. The population of adults aged 80 or older is expected to increase by 8 million over the next decade, and the average age of a nursing home resident is 79 years old.
“Supporting our nation’s seniors and their caregivers should remain a high priority for lawmakers in 2026,” Porter continued. “We must be able to meet the demand for care that will soon explode. Continuing to develop a skilled, strong long term care workforce requires a collective effort.”
In 2025, AHCA, together with the National Center for Assisted Living, launched “Caregivers for Tomorrow,” an initiative designed to advance policy solutions that strengthen and sustain the long term care workforce. “Caregivers for Tomorrow” calls on federal and state policymakers to invest in the caregiver pipeline, recruitment efforts and career development.
View the full Nursing Home Workforce Report HERE.
Information source: AHCA Press Office
