Solving Central NY’s Nurse Shortage by Growing Local Talent

Central New York is facing a serious challenge that’s quietly unfolding behind hospital doors and clinic waiting rooms—there simply aren’t enough healthcare workers. 

Each year, the region sees nearly 5,000 healthcare job openings, including 1,800 positions for home health aides alone. And that demand is only growing.

The math is stark: by 2028, Central NY will need more than 9,000 registered nurses and at least 20,000 direct support professionals to serve its aging population. At the same time, hospitals and long-term care facilities are scrambling to keep their current staff from burning out, an issue that’s intensified by pandemic aftershocks and an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

In response, many local institutions have begun shifting their hiring strategies. Instead of simply searching the globe for talent, they’re turning inward by recruiting and training people who already call Central NY home. 

The concept is simple but powerful: grow your own.

This approach is rooted in retention. Students who grow up here, train here, and build early professional connections here are more likely to stay. That means investing in the next generation of caregivers must start early, sometimes as early as high school. 

Schools like Upstate Medical University have taken the lead, building pipelines from local public schools into their nursing and medical programs.

Their outreach extends beyond traditional candidates, offering pathways for non-traditional students and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Programs offer not just education but mentorship, tuition assistance, and hands-on experience.

At hospitals like Crouse and St. Joseph’s, internal workforce development programs are creating tangible opportunities for employees to climb the career ladder. Entry-level staff in food services or janitorial roles are being encouraged to pursue training as certified nursing assistants or licensed practical nurses.

Meanwhile, Loretto, one of the region’s largest nursing home providers, has invested in helping CNAs transition into LPN roles through union-backed education programs. These strategies not only help fill staffing gaps but also increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve patient care outcomes.

Educational institutions like Onondaga Community College are expanding capacity in health tech programs and converting classrooms into realistic hospital-like training environments. 

Their aim? To get more students into programs that directly feed into the healthcare workforce.

Despite these promising efforts, Central NY still faces bottlenecks. One of the biggest? Clinical placement sites. Training nurses requires hands-on experience, and if hospitals can’t take on students for clinical rotations, nursing schools can’t grow their cohorts.

Another challenge lies in academic preparedness. Many potential students struggle with the math and science skills needed to succeed in healthcare training. 

Colleges are addressing this with more academic support, alternative pathways, and flexible program design. But the gap remains.

The long-term solution will require continued investment in education, infrastructure, and policy. But the short-term answer is clear: keep focusing on growing and supporting local talent.

What This Means for Home Health Care in New York

At Revival Home Health Care, we’ve seen firsthand how important local caregivers are. As the need for home health care in New York continues to surge, we are committed to supporting this new generation of healthcare workers and ensuring our patients receive care that’s both professional and personal.

We believe in the mission of growing our own because when caregivers live in the neighborhoods they serve, outcomes improve, and relationships deepen. That’s why we support workforce development and continually invest in hiring compassionate, qualified staff who want to build long-term careers helping others thrive at home.

Whether you’re seeking care or looking to join a mission-driven team, we’re here to help. Contact us today and experience the Revival difference.