Health care workers say their jobs feel “unsustainable,” Indeed report finds

Health care workers across the country say the job has become increasingly difficult to sustain, with many questioning whether they can continue in the field. Indeed’s “Pulse of Healthcare 2025” report shows that exhaustion, dissatisfaction and growing doubts about long-term career viability now define the daily experience of many health care professionals and support staff.

According to the report, half of health care workers say they feel exhausted in their current role. Nearly two-thirds are dissatisfied with their jobs.

The survey, which drew responses from 924 U.S. health care workers across clinical and nonclinical roles, reinforces what many practices already see: staffing shortages and rising demands are pushing workers out faster than organizations can replace them.

One in four respondents say they are considering leaving health care altogether.
Among those who feel their job is unsustainable, nearly 60% are actively looking for a new role.

“The data in this report reflects what many of us on the front lines already know — burnout isn’t just about long hours, it’s about feeling unheard,” said Darien Sutton, M.D., a board-certified emergency physician and ABC News Medical Correspondent, in the report. “If we want a future where both patients and professionals can thrive, we have to design systems that not only care for our patients, but for the caregivers, too.”

What’s driving dissatisfaction

The report highlights a consistent pattern across roles: workers feel emotionally depleted, unsupported and stuck.

Exhaustion and detachment

Half of respondents said they feel exhausted or depleted, and more than one-third feel negative or cynical toward their job.

One in three reported feeling detached or uninterested in their work.

Pay and staffing top the list of concerns

Compensation was the most common source of dissatisfaction (40%), followed by inadequate staffing (36%) and limited advancement opportunities (33%).

Workers also reported frustration with benefits and their employer’s commitment to well-being.

Despite the challenges, relationships with patients remain the most satisfying part of the job for half of respondents. Predictable schedules, relationships with coworkers and the ability to take time off were also key drivers of satisfaction.

Why wellness initiatives fall flat

Although many organizations have rolled out programs intended to address burnout, most health care workers say these efforts aren’t working. Eighty percent said existing well-being solutions at their workplace are ineffective.

Respondents cited staffing constraints as the biggest barrier, saying they often don’t have the time or bandwidth to participate. Workers also pointed to programs that fail to address root causes of burnout, feel performative or aren’t tailored to their work environment.

What workers say would help

Health care employees identified several straightforward steps employers could take to improve working conditions.

• Act on feedback: Seventy-one percent said organizations should act on employee feedback instead of simply collecting it.
• Reduce task overload: Two-thirds said reducing administrative and task overload through better staffing or technology would make a meaningful difference. Another 67% want performance and loyalty rewarded with monetary incentives.
• Protect time off: Nearly two-thirds said organizations should avoid contacting staff on their days off unless absolutely necessary, a change workers say is only possible when staffing levels are adequate.
• Supportive leadership matters: More than 80% of respondents said regular check-ins with leadership positively affect well-being, but 69% said these rarely happen. Workers said leadership accountability, education on responding to burnout and promoting from within were the most effective actions leaders can take.

AI enters the conversation

Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is rising across health care organizations, with 60% of workers saying their employer uses some form of AI technology.

Most applications support administrative workflows, including charting, documentation, summarizing policies and patient education.

Half of respondents expect AI to reduce their workload, especially tools that streamline clinical documentation.

Still, concerns persist. Workers cited fears about erosion of clinical judgment, loss of human interaction, privacy issues and job displacement. Many said they want clearer policies and training before embracing AI tools more fully.

Running out of time

The report makes it clear that the health care workforce is at a breaking point. The cycle of understaffing, stress and turnover continues to accelerate, threatening the stability of care delivery nationwide.

The takeaway from the report is blunt: the crisis can no longer be treated as a temporary or cyclical challenge. Workers are signaling that without meaningful changes to workload, compensation, staffing and leadership support, their commitment to the field may not hold.

Health care’s future, the report suggests, depends on whether organizations can rebuild trust, address long-standing structural issues and create environments that allow workers to sustain both their careers and their well-being.