🩺 Future Health Professionals Week Spotlight: Confronting North Carolina’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis

🚨 A Statewide Healthcare Workforce Emergency

Across North Carolina, the shortage of healthcare professionals has reached a level that threatens access to timely, high‑quality care. A statewide report from September 2025 showed:

• Nearly one‑third of all Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) positions remain unfilled, stretching teams thin and limiting care options.
• 13% of Registered Nurse (RN) roles are vacant, contributing to longer wait times and increased pressure on existing staff.
• By 2033, North Carolina is projected to face a shortfall of at least 12,500 RNs, with the possibility of an even larger gap as burnout and early retirements accelerate.

These shortages are not theoretical — they affect daily operations in clinics, long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health, and community-based organizations.

📍 The Crisis Is Deeply Felt in the Northwest AHEC Region

Findings from the 2025 Health Talent Alliance (HTA) Supply and Demand Profile show that the gap between workforce supply and demand is particularly concerning in the Northwest AHEC region:

• The region must annually recruit or graduate 1,010 RNs, yet only 690 new RNs enter the workforce — a deficit of 320 each year. 
• LPN supply also falls short, with demand for 220 LPNs annually but only 130 newly credentialed individuals — a deficit of 90.
• Churn rates — the rate at which employees leave and must be replaced — are extremely high:
  • 88% for LPNs
  • 115% for CNAs
    These numbers illustrate the instability employers face as they try to rebuild and retain their care teams. 

Together, these indicators paint a picture of a workforce under strain — and the ripple effects can be seen throughout the region’s health systems.

🌟 Community Health Workers: A Critical Part of the Solution

As traditional healthcare roles grow harder to recruit and retain, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are emerging as essential connectors in the healthcare ecosystem.

CHWs support communities by:

• Bridging the gap between clinical care and everyday life
• Increasing health literacy and supporting chronic disease management
• Connecting individuals to social drivers of health, including housing, food access, and transportation
• Reducing preventable ER visits and hospital readmissions

Beyond their impact, the return on investment is substantial: for every $1 invested in CHWs, there is an estimated $11.20 return in improved outcomes and cost savings.

In a region where healthcare vacancies are mounting, CHWs strengthen access, reduce burdens on clinical teams, and help keep communities healthier.

🎓 Pathways to Becoming a Community Health Worker

If you or someone you know is exploring a meaningful career in healthcare — one that makes a direct and lasting difference in the community — the CHW pathway is a powerful place to start.

📌 CHW Certification Information
Learn about North Carolina’s certification process:
https://ncchwa.org/services/certification/

📌 How NC AHEC Supports CHWs
Explore AHEC’s statewide CHW initiatives, training, and resources:
https://www.ncahec.net/practice-support/community-health-worker-program-2/

💙 Moving Forward Together

The workforce shortages facing North Carolina — and especially the Northwest AHEC region — require strong partnerships, innovative solutions, and continued investment across all parts of the healthcare pipeline. Community Health Workers are a vital part of this strategy, helping ensure that all communities, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, receive the care and support they need.

As we celebrate Future Health Professionals Week, we honor those who are stepping into these critical roles and shaping the future of healthcare across our region.