Pennsylvania’s Hospital Workforce: 5 Takeaways from the Data

April 30, 2025

Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems are developing the health care workforce to serve their communities today and meet a growing need as the commonwealth ages. But they continue to navigate workforce shortages that threaten Pennsylvanians’ access to care.

Earlier this month, HAP—in partnership with LeadingAge PA and Pennsylvania Health Care Association—released results of a survey examining workforce needs across hospitals and nursing homes.

Here are five key takeaways from the data.

• Access at risk:  Workforce shortages affect access to care. Hospitals report increased emergency department wait times (70%) and delays in scheduling appointments or procedures (69%) due to shortages. Some have had to eliminate or scale back a service line (28%) or close beds on a regular basis (20%).
• Making progress:  Pennsylvania hospitals, on average, reduced turnover for direct care professionals by 19% percent from 2023–2024 (32% since 2022) through strategies like competitive pay increases, tuition reimbursement, professional development, flexible scheduling, bonuses and incentives, and providing childcare.
• Greatest needs:  Hospitals reported double-digit statewide average vacancy rates across positions surveyed. Topping the list of highest average vacancy rates were certified registered nurse anesthetists (30%) and surgical techs (28%).
• Rural providers:  Average vacancy rates were higher for rural hospitals across several key positions: physician assistants (23%), medical assistants (23%), registered nurses (21%), radiologic techs (20%), central sterile processors (19%), and certified registered nurse practitioners (18%).
• Continuum-wide challenge:  Nursing homes’ staffing shortages compound hospitals’ challenges. Nursing homes report having to limit admissions from hospitals or cap their census due to workforce shortages (53%) and state staffing mandates (42%).

The report is available online.

Growing the health care workforce is a key focus of HAP’s agenda to ensure access to high-quality care for all Pennsylvanians. Learn more about HAP’s workforce advocacy online.