NC Workforce Report Finds Easing but Persistent Health Staffing Shortages
The NC Center on the Workforce for Health released its third annual health workforce analysis on Oct. 26, finding that vacancy and turnover rates for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants and medical assistants improved from 2025 to 2026 but remain above national and recommended levels. Rural communities and western North Carolina, still recovering from Hurricane Helene, face the worst shortages, with behavioral health and long-term care settings seeing higher turnover than other care types. The state projects shortfalls of 12,500 RNs and 5,000 LPNs over the next decade, and paramedic and EMT positions sit vacant for over 100 days on average. Education and training programs are not producing enough graduates to meet annual demand in several professions, including registered nursing.