In healthcare, the stakes couldn’t be higher. When workforce management processes break down, patients feel the impact. And with the pace of change in staffing, automation, and clinical training, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
So, what can you do today to stay ahead and make your workforce stronger?
Here’s what’s coming—and what we’ve learned works from partnering with healthcare organizations facing these challenges.
By Dr. Sarah Inman
The healthcare industry is facing a staffing shortage unlike any we’ve seen before.
By 2025, experts predict a six-figure shortage of nurses, physicians, and other key clinical roles. The reasons are varied but interconnected. Many experienced clinicians are retiring earlier or stepping away from patient care entirely. Meanwhile, remote and administrative roles offering more work-life balance are drawing healthcare professionals away from the bedside. On top of that, some organizations are caught in a cycle of reactive planning, focusing on temporary fixes rather than sustainable, long-term solutions.
If these trends continue, federal intervention—such as education incentives, policy changes, and funding—may be necessary to close the gap by 2028.
What We’ve Seen Work:
Addressing staffing challenges takes more than quick fixes—it requires proactive workforce planning. Here’s what makes a difference:
Building resilient systems that evolve alongside your team’s needs can help ensure that staffing challenges don’t become care disruptions.
By Eric Hoffmann
Automation is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s becoming essential.
By 2026, AI is expected to handle 75% of Human Capital Management (HCM) and Workforce Management (WFM) system configurations. The benefits are clear. AI can manage complex tasks like compliance checks and shift assignments quickly and accurately, freeing up time for higher-value work. Automation can also lead to significant cost savings by reducing the resources needed for manual processes.
However, automation comes with challenges. AI isn’t a magic fix—it relies on solid system configurations. If your system is outdated or disorganized, automation can amplify existing problems rather than solve them.
What We’ve Seen Work:
Effective automation starts with preparation. These key steps can make all the difference:
When implemented thoughtfully, automation isn’t about replacing people—it’s about empowering them to focus on the work that matters most, like patient care and strategic planning.
By Dr. Sarah Inman
Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer just a futuristic idea—it’s becoming a staple in clinical training.
By 2026, VR is expected to be widely used across healthcare organizations, giving clinicians immersive opportunities to practice and refine their skills. With VR, clinicians can train for rare or complex procedures in realistic simulations without the pressure of real-life consequences. This hands-on approach can help lower the risk of errors during actual patient care.
The demand for VR training is already growing. In fact, 77% of hospitals have expressed interest in implementing VR training programs, and adoption is expected to accelerate significantly in 2025.
What We’ve Seen Work:
A successful VR rollout requires more than just investing in the right technology—it’s about making sure the new training fits seamlessly into your organization’s workflows:
Ultimately, VR training isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about giving clinicians the skills and confidence they need to deliver exceptional care.
The future of healthcare workforce management is already here. The organizations that thrive won’t be the ones that wait to adapt—they’ll be the ones that take proactive steps today.
Your Next Steps:
When you build a resilient, forward-thinking workforce, you don’t just adapt—you lead.