Technology Influences Where Health Care Professionals Work, Study Says

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas—WellSky, a global health and community care technology and services company, announced additional findings from a national study of the health care workforce conducted in partnership with the Center for Generational Kinetics. The report, “Addressing Today’s Healthcare Workforce Challenges,” reveals that nurses and other health care workers are placing importance on the technology tools used by prospective employers, with many viewing easy-to-use and familiar software as important to their job satisfaction.

Key findings from the study about technology and artificial intelligence (AI):

• Technology as a recruitment tool: The study shows that the technology an organization uses can impact their recruitment efforts, as 84% of nurses said they prioritize easy-to-learn software or electronic health record (EHR) technology when deciding whether to apply for or accept a job in health care. Over 70% of all health care workers surveyed said software technology they like or are familiar with is an important factor when choosing whether to apply for or accept a health care job.
• The value of health care technology for workers: According to the study, nurses and other health care workers place particular value on technology that delivers efficiency, ease and engagement. Specifically, 90% of health care workers rated care coordination tools—software to identify, track and manage patients as they move between settings of care—as valuable, closely followed by EHRs at 89%. Additionally, 69% of nurses and 58% of other health care workers see AI as valuable to the quality and efficiency of their work.
• Optimism and hesitation around AI: 55% of participants surveyed said they believe AI can help reduce burnout among health care workers. At the same time, 49% said they worry AI could replace some health care jobs and shrink employment opportunities. At a time when health care workers report being overwhelmed by staffing shortages and an increased demand for patient care, these findings signal an opportunity for leaders to further leverage AI technology and educate their staff on the role of AI as a support system, not a replacement.

Today, providers are investing in technology with embedded AI capabilities, risk prediction for timely alerts and interventions, care coordination for better patient outcomes and advanced resource management solutions to enable smarter staffing and optimization of clinicians’ time. 

“This study makes it clear that technology is a driving force behind job satisfaction and improved patient care across the health care industry,” said Bill Miller, chairman and CEO at WellSky. “We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions, like our WellSky SkySense AI suite, that not only support health care professionals in their daily work but also empower organizations to recruit and retain top talent. By investing in user-friendly software and advanced AI, we’re helping the industry overcome workforce challenges and deliver better outcomes for patients and providers alike.”

The national study was conducted in March 2025 and included 400 health care workers, 400 nurses and 400 non-healthcare workers. To read the full report and learn more about actions health care leaders can take to support workers, visit wellsky.com/workforce-study/.