A recent survey by executive search firm B.E. Smith shows that almost 2 in 3 healthcare leaders are contemplating leaving their current organizations, highlighting ongoing workforce instability in the sector. The survey, conducted via email between September 30 and October 23, 2025, collected responses from 703 executives across hospitals, health systems, clinics, and post acute care settings.
Key Findings from the B.E. Smith 2026 Healthcare Leadership Trends Survey
- Executive retention is uncertain:
- 37% of respondents have no intention of leaving, up 3 percentage points from 2024.
- 7% plan an immediate exit, 11% within six months, 17% within one year, and 27% within three to five years.
- Tenure and leadership level affect exit plans:
- Leaders with 6–10 years of tenure are most likely to seek change immediately (17%) or within six months (35%).
- Vice president-level respondents are 50% more likely than directors and 80% more likely than C-suite executives to pursue a near-term move.
- Job satisfaction varies with exit timing:
- Among those considering leaving, 73% reported satisfaction with their role, and 60% with their employer.
- For those planning an immediate departure, satisfaction drops to 40% for their job and 32% for their organization.
- Factors influencing retention:
- Top motivators to stay include organizational culture, compensation, and colleagues.
- Career advancement, flexible scheduling, and management support follow, while remote work ranked lowest.
- Promotion and career growth concerns:
- Only 21% feel they are on a promotion track.
- 26% believe leaving their organization is necessary to advance their careers.
- Outlook for organizations versus the industry:
- Nearly 3 in 4 executives expect their own organization to perform the same or stronger in 2026.
- 52% predict a decline for the healthcare industry overall.
- Financial pressures dominate:
- 84% cited financial pressures as the primary threat in the coming year.
- Lowering operating costs is the top performance priority over the next five years (72%).
- Growth strategies for stability:
- Expanding existing service lines (50%) is the most common strategy for financial stability.
- Other strategies include cost reductions (38%), new service lines (37%), partnerships with payers or health systems (33%), value-based reimbursement expansion (33%), telehealth (28%), and enhanced consumer marketing (27%).
The survey underscores the ongoing risk of losing strong healthcare leaders despite generally high job satisfaction, with organizational culture, career advancement, and compensation playing critical roles in retention.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review Kristin Kuchno, 2 in 3 healthcare executives considering exit: Survey (2026).
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