Working in Healthcare in 2026: How to Navigate a Tough Market

Over the last few years, labor shortages have pushed RNs, CNAs, and allied health professionals beyond what’s ideal. While recent months have seen some relief, it’s still an ongoing challenge. 

 

Our team has filled 2,000+ assignments for CNAs, LPs, direct care workers, and other roles within healthcare. Based on our experience with a variety of healthcare and clinical partnerships, here are tips for navigating the job market in 2026. 

Why healthcare is a tough job market in 2026

Working in healthcare is a tough job, and the job market itself can be even tougher. Many healthcare workers are finding the same story to be true: long hours, understaffed shifts, and little to no support from their supervisors. Eventually, it can be tough to take another offer without wondering: will this just be more of the same? 

 

And there are other challenges that make it difficult to find quality work: 

 

• While allied, behavioral, and community health workers are in high demand, there were layoffs among non-clinical staff in 2025
• Time-to-fill for experienced RNs still hovers around three months
• ​Candidates without the right mix of credentials or recent experience can get stuck in a kind of limbo: overqualified for entry‑level roles, underqualified for in‑demand specialties

Signs of hope: why things can turn around in 2026

There looks to be a reversal of workforce shortages, with Massachusetts hospitals reducing their shortages from 19,000 (2022) to 13,600 (2025). That’s still a lot of vacancies, but it’s an improvement.

 

Based on our observations, we’ve noticed qualitative trends that help substantiate these claims: 

 

• Federal legislation like the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 aims to set minimum RN‑to‑patient ratios and require hospitals to staff above those ratios when patient needs are higher
• Health systems and nursing programs are investing more in burnout prevention: resilience training, mindfulness and stress‑management programs, and structured peer support initiatives like Code Lavender
• There’s an increased emphasis from health systems and governments on nurses’ quality of work as a key driver of hospital quality and patient outcomes

 

Underlying social and economic drivers mean that demand for nurses remains structurally strong right now. We have an aging population, ongoing clinician retirements, and persistent provider shortages that indicate there will still be significant jobs open annually. 

 

But these trends listed above demonstrate that there are efforts to not only increase the quantity of positions available, but also the quality of that work. This, in turn, means the pressures and challenges you’ve been facing up to this point may not stick around forever. 

How to set yourself up for success in 2026

Still, the changes we’re seeing underway in the healthcare sector  may take a little while to materialize. But until then, you can take some steps to protect yourself, your energy, and your mental well-being so you can stay in the field. That way, you can keep doing the work you love, but on your own terms. 

1. Get clear on your priorities

People go into nursing or allied health work for various reasons. Some value the stability, the fact that their skills will always be in demand. For others, it’s the opportunities to care for other people in particularly challenging situations. Knowing your “why” is the first step to figuring out what you’re willing to negotiate, and what deal-breakers you’re firm on. 

2. Look for opportunities other than health systems

Not all healthcare work happens within the traditional health system. If you need a break from hospital work or long-term care facilities, consider some of the alternatives across the state: outpatient care, home health, remote patient monitoring, and telehealth roles. All of these areas are expected to grow in 2026. 

3. Invest in future‑proof skills

You can also improve your negotiating power by adding in-demand skills to your resume. For instance, digital literacy is going to be even more important in 2026 and beyond. Get comfortable with EHRs, remote monitoring tools, and the ability to monitor quality of care metrics. As value-based care and tech-enabled models expand, the skills needed for success in healthcare will evolve to match. 

4. Use flexibility to protect your life outside work

When looking into a new role, see if the employer uses flexible work models to make things easy on their nursing staff. These could include internal float pools, rotational schedules, and on-demand shift-booking platforms to give you more control over when and where you work. 

5. Build your support and opportunity network

Even if you’re planning on staying with your current employer for the time being, it’s always a good idea to keep yourself “hire-ready.” Update your LinkedIn profile, keep in touch with colleagues, attend networking events, and build a relationship with an experienced recruiter.

Even spending 10-15 minutes a day can go a long way to keeping your career on the right track. 

Final thoughts on working in healthcare in 2026

Healthcare workers have faced a variety of challenges over the last few years, yet 2026 is shaping up to be a more positive experience for candidates. Talking to a recruiter who can help you find an opportunity that fits your needs and can provide a breath of fresh air.

 

At ProPivotal, we put people first and match healthcare workers with the best employers in the Boston area. Explore our open roles and connect with a recruiter today.