As the U.S. healthcare industry rapidly rebounds from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: hospital mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are reshaping the healthcare landscape at record speed. Large health systems are expanding their footprints, acquiring hospitals, and increasing their regional and national reach.
While these strategic moves strengthen healthcare networks, they also create a massive demand for skilled nursing staff opening the door for international nurse recruitment programs. For many healthcare organizations, partnering with immigration law experts like VisaMadeEZ has become an essential step in securing the global talent they need to fill critical staffing gaps.
Below, we explore 28 major health systems that have grown significantly in recent quarters or announced strategic acquisitions for 2024 and beyond and how these expansions might impact nurse immigration, sponsorship, and hiring strategies.
Why M&A Fuels International Nurse Hiring
When health systems expand through mergers or acquisitions, they often add hundreds of new patient beds, multiple outpatient clinics, and specialty care centers all of which require qualified nursing professionals. However, U.S. nurse shortages remain at historically high levels.
This means systems must look beyond domestic recruitment and implement international nurse sponsorship, visa petitions, and immigration pathways to maintain safe staffing ratios.
28 Major U.S. Health System Expansions and the Staffing Challenge Ahead
Here are some of the most notable healthcare mergers, acquisitions, and expansions in 2024 that could significantly influence foreign nurse hiring programs:
1. UPMC (Pittsburgh, PA) — In talks to acquire Trinity Health System in Ohio, marking UPMC’s entry into a new state healthcare market.
2. UnityPoint Health (Iowa) — Added MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center, expanding its network to 37 hospitals.
3. Baptist Memorial Health Care (TN) — Acquiring OCH Regional Medical Center in Mississippi; now a 26-hospital network across three states.
4. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (NC) — Took over Hugh Chatham Health, adding 81 acute care beds and 70+ providers.
5. St. Luke’s University Health Network (PA) — Acquired Grand View Health, its 16th campus.
6. Northwell Health + Nuvance Health (NY & CT) — Merged into a 28-hospital, $23 billion system a huge workforce opportunity, especially for nurses trained abroad.
7. Prime Healthcare (CA) — Added eight Illinois hospitals and plans to acquire Central Maine Healthcare, operating now in multiple states.
8. HCA Healthcare (TN) — Expanded footprint with acquisitions in New Hampshire and Florida, strengthening staffing needs across 187 hospitals.
9. AdventHealth (FL) — Invested $260M to acquire two Florida hospitals from CHS.
10. Sanford Health & Marshfield Clinic (SD/WI) — Created a 56-hospital mega-system (effective 2025).
The Immigration Connection: Meeting Workforce Demand
Every hospital expansion means new operating rooms, ICUs, outpatient centers, and specialty units all requiring qualified nurses. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting over 200,000 nursing job openings each year, healthcare organizations must consider:
- EB-3 green card sponsorship for foreign nurses
- H-1B visas for specialty nursing roles
- Streamlined immigration processing
- Partnership with experienced immigration law firms like VisaMadeEZ
VisaMadeEZ works closely with healthcare HR departments to handle the complex visa process for internationally educated nurses, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines while accelerating onboarding.
Why Healthcare Leaders Choose VisaMadeEZ
- Expert immigration attorneys specializing in healthcare workforce needs
- End-to-end services, from recruitment documentation to permanent residency applications
- Proven strategies for reducing time-to-hire and preventing staffing shortfalls
- Support for nurse relocation, licensing, and cultural integration
Final Thoughts
The post-pandemic era has unleashed unprecedented hospital growth through mergers and acquisitions. While this signals stronger healthcare delivery networks for patients, it also amplifies the shortage of qualified nursing staff making international nurse recruitment not just an option but a necessity.
Healthcare executives and HR leaders ready to navigate these challenges can rely on VisaMadeEZ to secure global talent, streamline sponsorship, and ensure the right nurses are at the bedside when they’re needed most.
If your healthcare organization is expanding and you need help sponsoring international nurses, contact VisaMadeEZ today for a free consultation.
