Nov 19, 2025
Building Career Pathways Is The Cure for Our Healthcare Workforce Shortage
The following op-ed by Rev. Rodney Francis was originally published by Inside Indiana Business earlier this fall. It reflects the vision behind the Mosaic Center for Work, Life + Learning and the critical role of career pathways in addressing Indiana’s healthcare workforce shortage. Inside Indiana Business subscribers can read the original op-ed here.
Indianapolis has always been a city of resilience and purpose. Our history is rich with stories of Hoosier hospitality, innovation taking root, and healthcare excellence shaping lives. From our world-class hospitals to the compassionate professionals who serve within them, our city has long been a place where healing thrives.
Yet, like many communities across the nation, we face a profound challenge: a shortage of healthcare workers that impacts our ability to care for every patient who needs us.
Across Indiana, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities are feeling the strain of a workforce gap that has grown for years. Healthcare support and nursing remain among the most in-demand job sectors in our state. Thousands of positions sit unfilled. Each vacancy affects a neighbor, a family, and the care they deserve. As we enter the final months of the year, these workforce challenges remain front and center for Indiana’s healthcare system.
As someone who serves both in ministry and workforce development, I see this moment as both a challenge and a calling: to open clear pathways for people in our community to step into these vital roles with practical tools, training, and encouragement.
Training today for the jobs of tomorrow
The answer to this challenge lies right here in our city and in the hearts and hands of our own people.
Our community is filled with hardworking individuals eager to build stable, fulfilling careers, yet many face barriers like limited access to quality training, support services, or clear pathways into in-demand jobs. Too often, talented neighbors are held back by circumstances beyond their control, from childcare challenges to financial constraints.
To truly uplift our city, we must invest in resources that help people start meaningful careers that sustain them and their families. Effective workforce development integrates career coaching, skills training, and supports that address the whole person, recognizing that success depends not only on education but also on overcoming everyday barriers.
Essential healthcare roles—such as certified nursing and medical assistants—provide critical patient care and often serve as entry points into lifelong healthcare careers. Many training programs can be completed quickly, enabling participants to transition swiftly from learning to working.
By equipping Hoosiers with the skills and certifications they need, we are not just filling jobs — we are opening doors. We are creating opportunities for underemployed or unemployed individuals to gain financial stability and for young adults to see a future in healthcare without leaving Indianapolis.
Because life’s responsibilities don’t pause for career preparation, holistic support — like transportation assistance, childcare referrals, financial literacy education, and one-on-one coaching — is vital to removing obstacles that might otherwise stand in the way. Workforce development is not just about filling openings; it’s about building lives, strengthening families, and fostering long-term community resilience. Through programs like the Mosaic Center for Work, Life + Learning, this support starts early, often before classes ever begin, through outreach and individualized coaching so people can move from "interested" to "hired" with confidence.
Strengthening our community and economy
The ripple effects of healthcare workforce development extend far beyond the walls of hospitals.
First, we ensure that care remains close to home. A fully staffed healthcare system means our neighbors, our parents, and our children receive the care they need without long waits or leaving the city they call home.
Second, we strengthen our local economy. Healthcare jobs are not just paychecks — they are lifelines. Every filled position supports a family and contributes to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.
Finally, we help Marion County residents build their futures here at home. By partnering with schools, workforce boards, faith organizations, and community nonprofits, we are planting the seeds of a stronger, more resilient city.
A call to action for Indianapolis
Solving the healthcare workforce crisis requires collaboration among hospitals, educators, employers, and community leaders. It also requires the support of local residents — whether that’s encouraging someone you know to consider a career in healthcare, spreading the word about available programs, or supporting policies that invest in workforce development.
If you’ve ever considered a career in healthcare, there has never been a better time to start. With the right training and support, you could be part of the next generation of caregivers shaping the future of healthcare in Indianapolis.
The healthcare challenges of tomorrow will not wait. But by acting today, we can ensure Indiana remains a place where health and opportunity thrive side by side.
Learn how Mosaic Center Membership can support your clinical or non-clinical career pathways.