Work

Nurses’ Transitions Into and Out of the Home Health Sector

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Demand for home health is growing. Registered and licensed practical/vocational nurses (RNs and LPN/LVNs) are integral to the provision of home health services, but a limited body of evidence suggests that the workforce is unstable and possibly shrinking. We assessed RNs' and LPN/LVNs' transitions into and out of the home health sector using data from the Current Population Survey monthly files from January 2003 to June 2023. Specifically, we compared turnover from home health versus the hospital sector and assessed entry into home health from other health care and non-health care sectors. Turnover was consistently and significantly higher in the home health sector compared with the hospital sector. The predicted probability of nurses entering home health from any other sector hovered around or below 1%. High turnover combined with low home health entry raises concerns about home health nursing services nationwide.

Source: Medical Care Research and Review

DOI: 10.1177/10775587261422386

Authors: Zoe Samson, Lauren J. Hunt, Laura M. Wagner, Janette Dill, Ulrike Muench

Institutions: University of California, San Francisco, MaineHealth, University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Nursing education and management

Subfield: Research and Theory

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,400