Advanced Practice Providers Now Core to U.S. Health System Workforce Strategy
Event summary
- 92% of healthcare facility leaders rate advanced practice providers (APPs) as very or extremely important to their workforce strategy.
- 89% report positive impact on organizational growth from APPs, while 85% see cost benefits.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are the hardest APP role to fill nationally (30%), rising to 49% in rural facilities.
- 25% of rural facilities plan to reduce APP locum tenens usage in 2026, despite recognizing their strategic importance.
The big picture
The shift from viewing advanced practice providers as a stopgap to a foundational workforce element reflects broader healthcare industry trends toward cost-efficient scaling. The dual benefits of growth and cost containment make APPs a strategic imperative, particularly as rural-urban divides in staffing strategies widen. With 97% of facilities planning to maintain or increase APP utilization in 2026, the focus now turns to structural integration and addressing recruitment bottlenecks.
What we're watching
- Rural Access Risks
- The pace at which rural health systems reduce APP locum tenens coverage could limit patient access and revenue.
- Recruitment Pressures
- How healthcare facilities will address CRNA shortages, particularly in rural areas where surgical services depend on them.
- Strategic Integration
- Whether health systems can sustain long-term clinical and financial stability by fully integrating APPs into core workforce strategies.