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…
