Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network: Summary of Spring 2025 Findings


  • Abstract

    High-Level Findings from Spring 2025

    Participants across facility types reported not enough qualified applicants, recruitment and retention problems not related to salary/wage/benefits, and salary/wage/benefits issues as the top three reasons for exceptionally long vacancies. Common examples of reasons for these vacancies cited in 2025 include:

    • [Dental hygienists, Dental office/clinic] I have been trying to find a full-time hygienist for my office in [my city] for the past 2 years now. Unable to find anyone who can fulfill this position. Would help if we can get foreign trained dentists to cover the huge demand for hygienists.
    • [Registered nurse, Nursing home/skilled nursing facility] Not enough RNs out there. Competing with other healthcare providers due to nursing shortage.
    • [Marriage and family therapist, Behavioral health agency] Not enough applicants. Shrinking pool of individuals pursuing degree. Pay often doesn’t justify the significant cost for education. Recommend more subsidies for education in certain fields.
    • [Multiple occupations, Rural health clinic] Lack of interest in moving to the area and our inability to compete with urban salaries.

  • Authors:

    Stubbs BA, Guenther GA, Nguyen NH, Skillman SM

  • Journal/Publisher:

    Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington

  • Edition:

    Sep 2025.

  • Funder:

    WA - Washington State Legislature

  • Documents:

    Washington Health Workforce Sentinel Network Summary of Spring 2025 Findings

  • Citation:

    Stubbs BA, Guenther GA, Nguyen NH, Skillman SM. Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network: Summary of Spring 2025 Findings. Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington. Sep 2025

  • Related Studies:

    Health Workforce Sentinel Network