The U.S. healthcare landscape is rapidly transforming, with four significant hospital mergers and health system launches shaping 2025. For global nursing talent and the healthcare organizations aiming to recruit them, these new health systems could translate to fresh opportunities and challenges in international nurse hiring and immigration.
At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm specializing helping healthcare organizations onboard international nurses, we closely monitor trends that affect healthcare staffing and nurse migration. The creation of new hospital networks not only alters patient care on a regional scale but also impacts demand for highly qualified, internationally educated nursing professionals.
1. The Growth of New American Health Systems: What’s Happening in 2025?
In early 2025, the U.S. witnessed the launch of four new health systems. These entities were formed through strategic mergers and affiliations across various states, aiming to maximize resources and expand clinical reach.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas and UNC Health have unified to create a robust network delivering comprehensive care in North Carolina.
WellSpan Health and Summit Health finalized their merger to improve services in Pennsylvania, bolstering the need for specialized clinical talent.
In Minnesota Sanford Health’s collaboration with Fairview Health expanded regional service delivery and administrative reach.
Cook County Health in Illinois announced a new system dedicated to community-centered care an area often reliant on internationally recruited healthcare professionals.
These mergers are reshaping hiring needs, especially for critical roles like nurses, where the national workforce shortage persists.
2. What New Health Systems Mean for International Nurse Recruitment
With expanded footprints and broader service areas, emerging health systems face increased demand for skilled nursing staff. However, the ongoing U.S. nursing shortage means domestic recruiting alone won't meet staffing needs. Many of these organizations turn to international nurse recruitment to fill vacancies and maintain high standards of care.
Healthcare organizations seeking to hire internationally educated nurses face complex U.S. immigration challenges, including the need for H-1B visas, TN visas, and green card sponsorship (EB-3 visas). As the demand for bilingual and culturally adept nurses, so does the need for streamlined, compliant hiring practices.
VisaMadeEZ’s Role: Guiding Health Systems Through Nurse Immigration
The merger-driven formation of bigger health systems creates both opportunity and complexity in international nurse recruitment. VisaMadeEZ offers full-spectrum legal guidance for healthcare employers navigating U.S. immigration law from visa sponsorship and credential evaluation to regulatory compliance and consular processing.
Our team specializes in:
Streamlining the international nurse recruitment process for U.S. hospitals and health systems
Ensuring compliance with Department of Labor and USCIS regulations
Facilitating EB-3 green cards for RNs and select allied health professionals
Managing visa retrogression and adjustment of status issues
Counseling on the licensing and NCLEX-RN exam requirements
By partnering with VisaMadeEZ, hospital HR teams and recruiters gain access to expert legal counsel focused on facilitating timely onboarding of foreign-trained nurses, with solutions tailored to the new realities of large, merged health systems.
4. Looking Forward: International Nurses Are Central to Healthcare Growth
As new health systems expand throughout 2025, international nurses will remain an essential cornerstone of American healthcare. Understanding the intersection of healthcare M&A, immigration law, and nurse recruitment is more important than ever. Hospitals and health systems looking to secure top international nursing talent can benefit by working with immigration law firms like VisaMadeEZ, who have specialized expertise in meeting the unique legal needs of the healthcare industry.
If your hospital is hiring international nurses or forming a new health system, contact VisaMadeEZ today for a free initial consultation. Let us help you build a compliant, effective, and diverse nursing workforce for the future of American healthcare.
For tailored legal guidance on hiring international nurses, trust the experienced team at VisaMadeEZ your healthcare immigration law specialists.
