Hope on the Horizon: What the Reintroduction of the HWRA Means for Your U.S. Nursing Career

By Vasco Lopes da Silva — EVP of Global Strategic Talent, Conexus MedStaff

Across the United States, the demand for nurses continues to grow. Hospitals, clinics, and entire communities are feeling the strain of a healthcare workforce shortage that affects both patients and staff. For international nurses who dream of building a career in the U.S., this moment of need brings renewed opportunity.

The Problem: America’s Nursing Shortage

The U.S. is facing a massive nursing shortage, and the gap is only widening as Baby Boomers age and more nurses retire. The data speaks volumes:

• 293 rural hospitals were at risk of immediate closure in 2023 due to staffing shortages.
• Forty-two out of fifty states are projected to experience critical nurse shortages by 2030.
• Two in five nurses are expected to leave the profession in the next five years.
• From 2020 to 2021, over 100,000 nurses left, marking the largest workforce drop in four decades.
• Shortages are twice as severe in rural areas as in cities, with many nurse practitioner and nursing assistant roles especially impacted.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about quality, affordability, and accessibility. Without intervention, more hospitals—especially those serving rural or elderly populations—could be left unable to care for their communities.

The Solution: Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (HWRA)

This week, Senators Kevin Cramer (R‑ND) and Dick Durbin (D‑IL) officially introduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill designed to help qualified international healthcare professionals advance in their U.S. careers more quickly.

Here’s what the HWRA does:

• Recaptures up to 25,000 immigrant visas for nurses, and 15,000 for physicians, previously authorized by Congress but left unused. (cramer.senate.gov)
• Does not create new visas or displace U.S.-trained nurses—it simply makes existing, unused visas available. (cramer.senate.gov)
  Requires strict professional qualifications: licensing verification, background and security checks, and payment of filing fees. (cramer.senate.gov)
  

Why This Matters Now

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 195,000 new nursing roles opening each year over the next decade—but current training pipelines cannot keep pace with demand.

For international registered nurses and allied healthcare professionals, the HWRA signals that your expertise is needed, and that the path forward may be shorter. The bill helps:

• Clear backlog delays in green card processing
• Provide credentialed nurses already in the system a chance to move forward
• Bring relief to hospitals suffering acute shortages, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas
  

Conexus MedStaff’s Role: Advocating for You

At Conexus MedStaff, we’re not just observers—we’re active participants:

• We are proud members of the Alliance for International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR), working directly with policymakers to support the HWRA.
• We are monitoring how this bill will be implemented and preparing our processes so international nurses can transition more smoothly when the bill becomes law.
• We continue to offer transparency, resources, and support—not just in recruitment, but throughout the immigration, licensing, and relocation journey.
  

What You Can Do

While HWRA is now officially introduced, there are some things you can do to be ready:

• Follow Conexus on social media for live updates on HWRA and related immigration policy
• Share this blog with fellow nurses who are navigating similar paths
• Register for our upcoming webinar, where we’ll break down the changes HWRA brings, and what you should do next
  

America’s nursing shortage is real—and its effects are most deeply felt in rural and elderly care. But bills like the HWRA offer a genuine turning point. For international nurses, the opportunity to serve, to belong, and to build a lasting U.S. career feels more achievable than ever.

With trusted partners like Conexus advocating for you, your American nursing journey is closer than ever.

Stay close with Conexus for updates, resources, and clear next steps in your U.S. journey.