Montana State University, backed by a $101M gift, is expanding its decentralized nursing program.

Healthforce's weekly briefing for July 1st, 2025. Get smarter on the latest news & trends in the healthcare workforce.

🖐️ THIS WEEK’S TOP 5

1. Montana State expands nursing program with $101M gift to fight shortages.

2. Title VIII Nursing Workforce Act 2025 boosts funding for nursing education.

3. Physician quit intent drops to 31.9%, with pay and staffing key.

4. Nearly 10K Corewell Health East nurses rally vs wage, benefit cuts.

5. UC San Diego Health cuts 230 staff, sparking union backlash.

If you found today’s newsletter insightful, then we’d love to hear from you! Please drop us a line at edenn@globalmedteam or kanza@globalmedteam. See you next week!

💪 IMPACT STORY OF THE WEEK

Global MedTeam, recently featured in Becker’s Hospital Review in a major milestone, is reshaping international nurse recruitment with a cost-effective, no-risk, direct-hire model. The article highlights how Global MedTeam sources clinically trained nurses from the Philippines, offers full support through immigration and onboarding, and provides a scalable, ethical solution to help hospitals address America’s looming shortage of over 1 million nurses by 2030. (Becker’s)

⚖️ POLICY SPOTLIGHT

1. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed SB 182, a bill backed by SEIU Local 1107 that sought to mandate nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in larger hospitals, citing cost and flexibility concerns. Supporters say it would have improved safety and retention, addressing a severe statewide nursing shortage. (Las Vegas Sun)

2. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Senators Collins, Merkley, Baldwin, and Blackburn, aims to extend and enhance programs supporting nursing education, practice, recruitment, and retention through 2030. Endorsed by 50+ organizations including AACN and ANA, it expands funding for clinical training, technology, and faculty. (Collins.Senate)

3. Louisiana’s HERO Fund awarded nearly $7 million in matching grants to train 800 health care professionals, generating a $30 million annual economic impact. Programs target nontraditional students, pediatric care, nursing faculty shortages, and rural pipelines, aiming to address critical workforce gaps and retain talent statewide. (The Livingston parish News)

🎓 BACK TO SCHOOL

1. Arkansas Health Care Association launched a nursing school with campuses in Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Rogers to train 72 LPNs annually. AHCA, representing 95% of the state’s nursing homes, aims to upskill current staff. (KATV)

2. Vermont State University graduated 414 nurses in 2025, with 92% testing for licensure in Vermont and NCLEX pass rates as high as 100%. Through its statewide, laddered nursing programs, VTSU is expanding access and helping address the state's critical nursing shortage. (Vermont Biz)

3. Montana State University, backed by a $101M gift from Mark and Robyn Jones, is expanding its decentralized nursing program across five cities to fight the state’s critical nurse and midwife shortage. By 2030, it aims to graduate 100 more nurses annually, with 75% of current grads staying in-state. (Smart Brief)

   

   Montana State University

4. Sam Houston State University and four Houston-area hospitals launched SNAPPI, a partnership addressing Texas’s acute nursing faculty shortage by enabling nurses to teach while maintaining clinical pay. With $2 million in grants, SNAPPI aims to boost nurse educators and tackle Texas’s projected nursing shortage amid high retirements. (Community Impact)

5. MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center launched its first internal medicine residency program with eight residents, backed by a historic $13.7M state appropriation to combat South Carolina’s physician shortage. The initiative aims to retain medical graduates in-state and expand primary care access in Lancaster County. (MSN)

📊 BY THE NUMBERS

1. Immigrants make up 27% of U.S. hospital physicians and 16-22% of nursing staff, playing a vital role in healthcare. Trump-era immigration restrictions risk worsening workforce shortages, especially in underserved areas, potentially reducing care quality and raising costs amid growing strain on the system. (Campus Safety)

2. The 2024 AMA survey shows physician intent to leave dropped to 31.9% from 35.7% in 2023, with dermatology and infectious diseases among specialties least likely to quit. Key retention factors include higher pay, better workflow, and consistent staffing; organizations like Advocate Health and Sutter Health lead efforts. (AMA)

3. Rural Northern California faces a severe physician shortage as 55% of specialists plan to retire soon, causing patients to travel long distances for care. Organizations like Partnership HealthPlan and Healthy Rural California are launching residency programs and advocating Medicare pay reform to address this public health crisis. (CHCF)

🏥 HOSPITAL WATCH

1. Nearly 10,000 Corewell Health East nurses, newly unionized with Teamsters Local 2024, rallied in Detroit demanding an end to wage and benefit cuts targeting union members. After defeating a $1.7M anti-union campaign in 2024, they now prepare for their first contract negotiations next week. (Teamster)

2. UC San Diego Health laid off about 230 employees (1.5% of its workforce), including frontline healthcare providers, citing financial pressures. The University Professional and Technical Employees union criticized the cuts, warning they worsen staffing shortages, threaten patient safety, and demand immediate reinstatement of staff. (CBS8)

⚕LET’S TALK

Global MedTeam offers one of the most impactful ways to address the healthcare workforce shortage, through connecting international nurses to leading healthcare systems in the US.

If you’re interested in being a part of the solution, get in touch.