NWONL August Learning Session - Building a Sustainable Nursing Workforce: Trends, Insights and Innovative Approaches

In today’s healthcare environment, nurse leaders face unprecedented workforce challenges—rising retirements, shortages in specialty roles, and financial pressure from staffing volatility. This session, led by Kara Murphy and Mike Gove from PRS Global, explores how innovative, inclusive, and long-term strategies—such as international direct-hire programs—are helping health systems across the U.S. build sustainable nursing pipelines. Drawing on national insights and frontline success stories, the session will spark new ideas and equip nurse leaders with practical approaches to strengthen their teams, improve retention, and uphold patient care standards.

Session Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the current state of the nursing workforce, including key trends such as the aging workforce, specialty shortages, and financial pressures.

2. Explore PRS Global’s approach to building a diversified, sustainable nursing pipeline through international direct-hire programs.

3. Identify innovative workforce strategies implemented by leading health systems—such as pairing international nurses with new grads and developing culturally supportive onboarding models.

4. Assess the benefits and challenges of integrating international hiring into broader workforce planning.

5. Engage in reflective discussion around belonging, team composition, and balancing care quality with financial sustainability.

6. Walk away with actionable insights and an invitation to connect for continued support and best practice sharing.