Currently, there are thousands of qualified international nurses who have passed background checks, US licensure and English language exams, but cannot complete their visa applications because of green card apportionment rules and the catastrophic green card freeze for international nurses, which came as hospitals struggle to staff the bedside. This freeze means that only those nurses with green card petitions filed earlier than June 2022 may proceed with their green card interviews. All other international nurses' green card petitions are halted. 

As someone who witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of COVID-19 on our healthcare system, I understand the urgent need for a robust and resilient workforce. Our communities faced a critical shortage of qualified healthcare workers during this unprecedented crisis. It was a wakeup call that our healthcare system must be prepared for any eventuality.

The bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act is an essential piece of legislation that seeks to address these workforce shortages by enabling skilled immigrant nurses and physicians to secure robust permanent legal status in the United States. This bill will not only alleviate current staffing challenges but also fortify our healthcare sector against future crises.

According to data from the American Hospital Association (AHA), there were over 1 million registered nurse vacancies in 2018, even before we faced the COVID-19 pandemic. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts a shortfall of up to 139,000 physicians by 2033. These statistics underscore how crucial it is for us to act now and support this legislation.

By passing this bill, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act designates 40,000 Congressionally authorized visas for foreign-born healthcare workers from pre-existing unused visas—15,000 for foreign-born physicians and 25,000 for foreign-born nurses. I am proud to champion this cause so that more qualified nurses and doctors can serve our communities.

Let's urge our Senators and Members of Congress to pass the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act without delay! Please sign this petition today, because every signature brings us one step closer towards strengthening our healthcare system. 

Thank you, 

Hamza Abid, MS, APRN-CNS, AOCNS, OCN
CEO and Co-Founder of OfferedIn 
Clinical Practice Consultant