Why This Work Matters

Health care workers want opportunities to continue their learning, earn a wage that supports their family, and take advantage of training programs without taking on debt or stepping out of the workforce.

The COVID-19 public health crisis amplified the many economic pressures affecting health care workers, including lack of affordable housing, childcare costs, transportation, and workplace safety, to name a few. And the pandemic exacerbated the state’s health care labor shortage. Many health care workers left the industry due to overwhelming stress and burnout. Those remaining face the added challenge of working through a shortage.

California must focus on creating growth opportunities for health care workers. California health employers and hospitals play an important role in recruiting and retaining diverse health care workers by supporting current health workers looking to advance in their careers and become leaders in the field.

Our Approach

CHCF is partnering with health employers to understand what resources and infrastructure are needed to offer career advancement opportunities to health care professionals while they continue to work, and to increase the number of representative faculty and staff mentors who can guide workers. This effort includes:

• Creating stackable education and training options that allow health workers to receive a certification — known as “leveling up” — or progress to a higher-paying role while continuing to work.
• Exploring models for connecting educators and employers to make career transitions effective and low cost for health care workers.
• Identifying ways to increase concordant faculty, mentors, and role models who can support workers seeking to advance in their careers.

Get the Facts

Providing California health care workers opportunities to develop new skills and credentials is key to keeping them in the field and serving patients.

But today, California doesn’t have enough health care workers in the right places to meet the needs of the population. Millions of Californians struggle to access the care they need, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that underresourced communities and communities of color are hit hardest. California especially needs primary and behavioral health care professionals, and nurses, to care for patients in clinics, hospitals, and home settings.