---

"Unless the U.S. attracts more nurses and allied health professionals into the workforce, our healthcare system will soon face catastrophic consequences."

---

In an article on Fierce Healthcare's website, Sean Burke, President of the Healthcare Division of Ascend Learning and ATI, used strong language to describe the growing crisis in healthcare.

"The US must pursue long-term solutions to strengthen the pipeline of students training to become nurses and allied health professionals, including increasing student enrollment and strengthening the ability of schools and faculty to provide the support students need to graduate as practice-ready professionals," Burke wrote.

Burke described how the United States is facing a severe shortage of nurses and allied health professionals, which could have catastrophic consequences for the healthcare system. By 2025, there could be a gap of 200,000 to 450,000 nurses, and 85% of healthcare facilities are experiencing shortages of allied healthcare professionals. These shortages limit patient access to timely care and hinder the ability of healthcare professionals to provide personalized attention.

In his article, Burke noted that, to address this crisis, policymakers and healthcare leaders must focus on strengthening the pipeline of healthcare professionals by increasing student enrollment, supporting schools and faculty, and encouraging nurses to become educators.

Burke also described how the shortage of healthcare faculty is a major bottleneck in the system, and efforts must be made to incentivize and support educators. By investing in faculty and expanding the capacity of schools, more students can be admitted, improving patient access to care. Congress should also pass legislation to bolster the healthcare professions pipeline and support the expansion of nursing schools. Taking urgent action is crucial to stabilize the healthcare workforce and ensure high-quality care for all patients.

Read the article in Fierce Healthcare here.