Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network: Summary of Spring 2026 Findings
Abstract
High-Level Findings from Spring 2026
Respondents indicated that overall staffing has largely remained stable compared with prior survey rounds, while continuing to cite persistent vacancies due to fewer and less-qualified applicants, retention challenges related to wages, competition, and burnout, and system pressures such as funding limitations, reimbursement gaps, and training constraints. Examples of responses include:
- For the past year we have continued to have the same vacancies. […] We continue to post open positions and to hold rounds of interviews. – FQHC
- Our salaries cannot compete due to reimbursement rates we have to balance… smaller agencies cannot compete to find quality and experienced staff members. – Home health agency
- Fiscal insecurity from federal and state funding sources make it difficult to fill open positions… legislative cuts… are creating vast issues across the state. – Public health organization
- We are having difficulty finding people to work so we are all having to work more shifts which in turn wears us out. – LTC facility
Authors:
Stubbs BA, Guenther GA, Skillman SM
Journal/Publisher:
Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington
Edition:
Aug 2026.
Funder:
WA - Washington State Legislature
Documents:
Washington Health Workforce Sentinel Network Summary of Spring 2026 Findings
Citation:
Stubbs BA, Guenther GA, Skillman SM. Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network: Summary of Spring 2026 Findings. Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington. Aug 2026