Health Care Workforce Development


Banner Health makes it a priority to
support our clinical professionals.

As Arizona’s largest private employer and largest nonprofit health care system, Banner Health takes seriously our responsibility to our professional workforce. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, and front-line staff work diligently, with dedication and compassion, to keep our communities healthy. We do everything we can to care for and support them in return.

Like hospitals and health systems across the country, Banner Health is facing critical staffing shortages that could jeopardize access to care in the communities we serve. According to the American Hospital Association:

  • The U.S. will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033.
  • From nurses changing occupations or exiting the labor force, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for 1.1 million new registered nurses nationwide by 2030.
  • Within the next five years, the U.S. faces a projected shortage of more than 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers such as medical assistants, home health aides, and nursing assistants, according to a Mercer report.

Because a talented, engaged, and diverse workforce is critical to our ability to deliver exceptional patient care, Banner Health makes it a priority to support our clinical professionals. By offering opportunities for ongoing education and training, professional development, and programs supporting their physical and mental well-being, Banner strives to retain and grow our valued workforce and attract new talent to serve in critically important roles.

Banner Health promotes and cultivate a culturally rich workforce that is honored to serve, support, and provide services to our diverse communities. We respect and value the various backgrounds and differences among our team members that allows them to be who they are. We believe leveraging these unique perspectives, experiences and talents not only enhances our Banner family, but supports our effectiveness and success as an organization.

Banner Health celebrates our differences and unites those with shared experiences for greater connection and support, offering Employee Resource Groups for Veterans, Women in Leadership, Black and Latinx team members, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and most, recently, team members with disabilities. 4.4% of employed people with a disability work as health care practitioners and in technical occupations, and 3.9% of employed people with a disability work in health care support occupations.

Many of these workforce development initiatives rely on philanthropic support, as they fall outside of the traditional model of care delivery and reimbursement. We invite you to consider a gift to one of the following priority areas:

  • Banner Career Pathways Program. Helps Banner Health employees discover new ways to build their careers. Team members are given specific steps, tools, and financial support to complete their education and transfer into the next role, including Patient Care Assistant/Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, or Certified Sterile Processing Technician. Watch the video below to learn more.
  • Nursing Development Fund. Funds evidence-based research projects submitted by Banner nurses.
  • First Assist Program Center. Upskilling Advanced Practice Registered Nurses without Operating Room experience with the knowledge and skills to provide safe, competent surgical first assistant services.
  • Project SEARCH. Prepares young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.