The big picture: A new CHG Healthcare report reveals that 92% of healthcare facility leaders now consider Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) a foundational component of their workforce strategy, moving beyond temporary coverage. This signifies a critical shift in how healthcare organizations view and integrate NPs, PAs, and CRNAs into their long-term operational plans.

Why it matters: This trend underscores the increasing reliance on APPs to address persistent talent shortages and deliver patient care, impacting workforce planning, talent acquisition strategies, and the overall structure of healthcare delivery. Staffing firms and HR departments must adapt to this evolving demand.

Between the lines:

• 92% of surveyed leaders rate APPs as "very" or "extremely" essential.
• APPs, including NPs, PAs, and CRNAs, are now seen as foundational infrastructure.
• This marks a strategic shift from APPs primarily providing temporary coverage to being core to operations.

Staffing & HR impact: Healthcare staffing firms must prioritize sourcing and placing APPs, recognizing their strategic value will drive higher demand and potentially impact recruiter specialization and gross margins. HR departments need to develop robust talent development and retention programs specifically for APPs to secure this critical workforce segment.

The bottom line: The future of healthcare staffing is increasingly reliant on a robust and strategically integrated APP workforce.