CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As healthcare organizations look ahead, planning for nursing needs has become more than filling today’s open positions. They also have to consider retirements, turnover, growth and where they may need nurses in the future. That kind of long-term planning is at the center of two new case studies from WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions (WWHS), which highlight how international nurse recruitment can help health systems build sustainable nursing pipelines.

The need for longer-range planning is becoming increasingly important. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 189,100 registered nurse openings each year from 2024 to 2034, with many of those openings expected to result from nurses transferring to other occupations or exiting the labor force, including retirement.

The case studies showcase three health systems that partnered with WWHS to move beyond short-term hiring solutions and adopt continuous international recruitment as part of their long-term workforce planning. Rather than responding to vacancies as they occur, each organization aligned recruitment efforts with projected staffing needs years in advance, creating a more predictable approach to supporting patient care.

"Healthcare workforce planning requires organizations to think beyond today's vacancies," said Patti Artley, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, president of WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions. "Leaders also need to understand where future gaps are likely to emerge, which specialties may experience the greatest movement, where experience could be leaving the organization and how projected growth will affect demand.”

One case study examines two Midwest health systems that implemented continuous recruitment strategies to strengthen their medical-surgical nursing workforce. One hospital mentioned in the case study has recruited more than 500 nurses since 2024 based on workforce projections two to five years out, while the other has sustained an ongoing pipeline across eight hospitals through consistent, multiyear recruitment.

A second case study highlights a regional health system serving a large military community with a highly mobile workforce. Since partnering with WWHS in 2016, the organization has developed a long-term international recruitment strategy supporting four hospitals through multiple immigration pathways. To date, the partnership has resulted more than 500 registered nurses placed, with an additional 500+ nurses progressing through the recruitment pipeline.

Together, the case studies illustrate how healthcare organizations are increasingly shifting from reactive staffing models to proactive workforce planning strategies that account for immigration timelines, projected workforce needs and long-term organizational growth.

"International recruitment is most effective when it's viewed as part of a broader workforce strategy rather than a standalone staffing solution," Artley said. "These partnerships demonstrate how consistency, collaboration and long-term planning can help health systems build more resilient nursing workforces."

The case studies also highlight key elements shared across each partnership, including annual workforce planning, continuous candidate recruitment, recurring hiring events and close collaboration among operational, clinical and human resources leaders to align recruitment efforts with future staffing needs.

As healthcare organizations continue to face ongoing workforce challenges, these examples provide practical insight into how sustained international recruitment strategies can help strengthen workforce stability while creating flexibility for future growth.

The case studies are available at healthstaff.org.

WORLDWIDE HEALTHSTAFF SOLUTIONS

WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, a Medical Solutions company, specializes in direct hire international nurse recruitment, connecting healthcare employers with qualified RNs and healthcare professionals worldwide. From recruitment to relocation, we guide both parties through seamless processes to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. With offices in the United States, United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines, we are positioned to serve global healthcare markets effectively.

For more information, visit healthstaff.org. For more information about Medical Solutions and its service offerings, visit medicalsolutions.com.