During the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of students who passed the national licensure exam for nurses fell from 88.2% to 79.9%, but the trend is reversing after the release of the latest nursing exam, Medpage Today reported Jan. 1.

Many of the struggles that strained the nursing profession in years prior continued to do so in 2023, perhaps unsurprisingly to some. Multiple surveys on the profession this year highlighted continued staffing issues, burnout, nurses wanting to leave the profession, lacking feelings of support from hospitals and a range of other issues.

A waning supply of nurse educators could impede Florida's success in resolving its shortage of nurses, according to a new report. 

Granting nurses more flexibility was worth it at the end of the day for Mercy. 

Hospitals and health systems are buttressing workforce pipelines through new programs focused on health disparities and engaging high schoolers, according to the American Hospital Association. 

A plethora of research has linked a favorable work environment to less turnover and higher job satisfaction, and according to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, recognizing nurses' contributions to their organization is a key pillar for maintaining a healthy work environment. 

The year 2023 was full of labor union wins — in healthcare and beyond. Now hospitals nationwide must grapple with higher nurse salaries, teeing up further tensions with insurers, employers and the potential for increased premiums.

The nursing shortage in the US continues to be fueled by an aging population in need of care, baby boomer retiring nurses, and new entrants in the nursing profession, many of whom leave the workforce after a short period of time. These three components cause additional stress on nursing professionals and challenge the need for adequate nursing resources to provide necessary patient care. 

The primary places of practice for licensed practical nurses are often outpatient clinics, nursing homes and other ambulatory care settings. Throughout the past few years, however, LPNs have made a hospital comeback as a growing number of health systems embrace nursing team models that aim to ensure registered nurses are able to work at the top of their licenses. 

A Los Angeles jury awarded $41.49 million to a former nurse who said Kaiser Permanente's hospitals and health plan retaliated against and eventually terminated her for raising issues with patient safety and care quality, MyNewsLA reported Dec. 12.

Medscape's 2023 report on nurse satisfaction found most would follow the same educational path if they could do it over again. Still, a significant portion of respondents pointed to serious workplace issues that, if left unresolved, could push some to pursue other roles within or outside of nursing. 

Here are 128 organizations launching or expanding nursing programs:

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is empowering hospital nurses to develop initiatives that promote healthier work environments through its Clinical Scene Investigator Academy.

In 2023, there were twice as many healthcare employees applying for work visas compared to 2022, but a decline is likely after a six-year climbing trend, according to a report released Dec. 6. 

The Michigan Board of Nursing Disciplinary Subcommittee voted to permanently revoke the license of a nurse who was convicted of murdering a patient.

While the nursing shortage is nothing new, the government is seeking new ways to combat it within its military healthcare system. Legislators have proposed a bill that aims to retain skilled nurses at military medical facilities while they pursue higher education.

Two years ago, AdventHealth's nurse turnover rate was 31%. In November, that figure dipped to 18.9% — progress leaders at the Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based system link to a three-pronged nurse staffing strategy: Use less, lose less, hire more. 

A Tennessee judge has rejected RaDonda Vaught's motion to appeal the state nursing board's 2021 decision to revoke her license, a source confirmed to Becker's Nov. 29.

Great Falls, Mont.-based Benefis Health System and Montana State University broke ground on the first of five nurse teaching buildings being constructed thanks to a $101 million donation, the Great Falls Tribune reported Nov. 29.

Kentucky hospitals reported a slight drop in nurse vacancy rates this year, though nurse staffing still remains a core challenge, according to the Kentucky Hospital Association's 2023 Workforce Survey Report.