From Shortage to Opportunity: 3 Key Focuses for Boosting the Nursing Pipeline

Organizations should take a more positive spin and look at the nursing shortage as an opportunity to grow and innovate, according to these CNOs.

Nurse leaders everywhere need to focus on the workforce pipeline as shortages continue and new policies threaten access and add barriers to entry into nursing education.

As HealthLeaders recently reported, the United States is projected to be short about 8% of registered nurses (RN), which is a gap of about 264,000 RNs. According to 2025 data, the national nurse faculty vacancy rate sits at 7.2%, and nursing programs reported 4,856 unfilled seats in the past year, which is likely due to faculty shortages and lack of corresponding clinical placement availability.

Now more than ever, CNOs must come together and use their voices to stand up for nursing while partnering in their communities, providing career development opportunities, and increasing engagement within their own workforces. That's why the members of the HealthLeaders CNO Exchange came together on a panel to discuss how to advance nursing through policy, partnership, and preparation for the future.

Break down barriers

The nursing shortage is not necessarily because of a lack of interest in becoming a nurse, but rather a lack of access to the pipeline, and it presents an opportunity for growth, the members explained. Nursing schools often have to turn applicants away from lack of faculty, and many students do not have the financial capacity to put themselves through nursing school. In communities where there are disparities and less investment, high schools and other preparatory institutions often don't have the advanced placement (AP) classes that can provide college credits that can help students avoid paying more tuition.

According to the members, CNOs must do what they can to lower those barriers to entry by partnering with academic institutions to assist or cover tuition costs, provide alternative career paths to a BSN degree, and help students address financial struggles in their personal lives that impact their education. For nurses have already entered the workforce, CNOs should open up viable career options and clinical ladders for nurses who want to advance their careers, and leverage LPNs and ancillary services to help fill gaps in care if nurses leave the bedside.

Be the voice of nursing

Many policies have come down the pipeline in the last year or so, including the new Department of Education's federal loan eligibility requirements that exclude nursing from the list of professional degrees. That combined with other sweeping policies like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are instituting even more hurdles in the way of getting nurses education.

CNOs need to get involved with advocacy to tell the story of nursing from the point of view of the nurse, the members explained. When nurses have a seat at the table, they can influence lawmakers and have a hand in legislation that can help or hurt the workforce. The members also recommended that CNOs join relevant boards and committees, or even run for office when they can.

Leverage social media

Lastly, CNOs need to get involved with social media if they want to keep up with their teams, the members explained. Nurses receive and share so much information on the Internet, and if a CNO is able to engage in that narrative, it can help create more transparency and communication with frontline nurses. Perception of leadership among nurses has an impact on recruiting and retention as well, and social media narratives can contribute to whether or not nurses want to come work for a particular health system.

In addition to using social media to connect with one another and idea-share, CNOs can use social media as a way to gauge public opinion and to get feedback on issues the organization could improve upon. Some of the members suggested a social media liaison role to help their health systems scope out online discourse and keep up with important people and trends. This role can help with organizing posting strategies and messaging as well.

The HealthLeaders Exchange is an executive community for sharing ideas, solutions, and insights. Please join the community at our LinkedIn page. 

To inquire about attending a HealthLeaders CNO Exchange event, email us at exchange@healthleadersmedia.com.