Florida hospitals have cut nurse vacancies and turnover rates, but ongoing shortages in other healthcare roles and projected future shortages bring a need for continued investment in workforce development.

Florida hospitals have reduced nurse vacancies and turnover rates over the past two years, according to a report released Thursday by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) that indicates nurse vacancies decreased by 62 percent since 2022, dropping from more than 58,000 to over 16,000 in 2024.

The overall nursing vacancy rate fell to 7.8 percent in 2024 from approximately 20.5 percent in 2022. Nursing turnover rates also declined, decreasing by 45 percent from 32 percent in 2022 to 17.6 percent this year.

“It’s essential that we address the immediate staffing shortages and build a strong, sustainable workforce for generations to come,” said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the FHA. “we must continue to build on this momentum and prioritize workforce development to attract and retain top talent in the health care sector as the state’s population grows,”

Despite the downtick in vacancies, challenges persist for the health sector, where some roles continue to experience high vacancy and turnover rates. Surgical technologists have a vacancy rate of 16 percent and a turnover rate of 22 percent, while procedural technologists and medical technologists both have vacancy rates of 14 percent. Pharmacy technicians and medical assistants face turnover rates of 19 percent and 24 percent, respectively, above the overall health turnover rate of 15.8 percent.

Factors contributing to these shortages, according to the report, include workforce gaps, limited capacity in training programs, and job satisfaction issues. Educational constraints, such as a shortage of faculty and insufficient clinical placement opportunities, affect the entry of new professionals and workload pressures, alongside wage disparities may lead to higher turnover rates.

The report also states that the state may face shortages of 59,100 nurses and 18,000 physicians by 2035. Contributing factors include an aging population increasing demand for healthcare services, retirement of current professionals, and population growth exceeding the entry rate of new healthcare workers.

Potential implications include longer wait times and reduced access to care, particularly in rural areas. Increased patient loads could impact the quality of care, and economic strains might result from higher operational costs.

Experts within the document suggest that sustained investment in education and training is needed to mitigate future shortages. Expanding capacity in nursing and medical schools, enhancing retention efforts, and utilizing technology like telemedicine are among the strategies proposed.

“The collaboration between hospitals, policymakers, and educational institutions is essential,” Mayhew said. “It’s critical that we address staffing shortages and build a sustainable workforce.”

Earlier this month, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that his administration will fully renew funding for Florida’s nursing education programs in next year’s budget, totaling $130 million and building on the nearly $400 million invested since 2022. The investments, which include the pipeline program and the Linking Industry to Nursing Education fund, have increased nursing program enrollment and graduation rates across the state.