👉America has been facing a shortage of healthcare workers for many years, which has had a negative impact on patient care, especially in underserved communities. This shortage has now reached critical levels due to the global pandemic, causing a threat to the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals.
The shortage of qualified healthcare staff, particularly skilled nurses and physicians, has been exacerbated by economic pressures caused by rising inflation and a high rate of burnout. Healthcare settings across the country are finding it increasingly challenging to recruit and retain qualified staff. In fact, 78 percent of registered nurses in the United States believe that staffing levels have become unsafe.
Furthermore, data from the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Additionally, a study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reveals that approximately 100,000 registered nurses have left the healthcare workforce in the past two years, with over 610,000 more planning to leave by 2027.
Given the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, the United States needs a sustainable solution to address this shortage. For over 70 years, the country has relied on foreign healthcare professionals to fill critical gaps in the workforce. However, the recent freeze on green card processing for international nurses by the U.S. State Department is hindering efforts to recruit much-needed healthcare professionals who are ready to practice and can contribute to patient care and capacity building in hospitals and health systems nationwide.
The freeze on EB-3 visa applications has prevented thousands of international nurses, who have already undergone background checks, obtained U.S. licensure, and passed English language exams, from completing their visa applications and entering the country. This situation is further exacerbating the nursing shortage in America.
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