The number of Florida nursing students who passed the National Council Licensure Examination has fallen for the third consecutive year, a new report from the Florida Center for Nursing found. 

With a new year comes new goals, resolutions and aspirations for leaders across the nation. Chief nursing officers are facing many crises and priorities in the new year, from staff shortages to burnouts to a fake nursing degree scheme.

After undergoing an investigation one year ago that led to the surrendering of its nursing program license in September, Aspen University in Phoenix is now being asked to show why its accreditation should not be revoked altogether, ABC affiliate KNXV-TV reported Feb. 2.

Unless significant efforts are made to increase recruitment and retention, the world is facing a projected shortage of up to 13 million nurses by 2030, according to a 2021 report from the International Council of Nurses.

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the nursing profession will expand by 6 percent by 2031, the nation currently faces a shortage.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Jan. 31 signed an executive order aimed at reducing wait times for issuing licenses for professionals across the state, including nurses.

Instead of studying the connection between hospital staffing shortages and patient outcomes and satisfaction, it's time to implement effective strategies that focus on solutions. 

At least 11 states have taken disciplinary action against nurses who allegedly purchased fraudulent degree documents through a recently uncovered scheme, while investigations are ongoing in others. 

Burnout, violence and staffing shortages are just a few of the most pressing challenges the nation's 4 million nurses are facing. It's no question that these are pertinent to address across the healthcare sector nationwide, but what remains to be agreed upon is a clear path forward in doing so for compounding, complex issues.

Twenty-two Georgia nurses who allegedly purchased fraudulent degree documents through a recently uncovered scheme have been asked to surrender their licenses, according to ABC affiliate WSB-TV. 

Thibodaux, La.-based Nicholls State University named Raquel Engolio, EdD, RN, dean of nursing.

Here are six organizations opening or expanding nursing programs: 

More than one-third of aspiring nurses who allegedly purchased phony degrees to bypass coursework and training required to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination passed the test, The New York Times reported Jan. 27.  

As state and federal investigations into a fraudulent nurse degree scheme continue, the Delaware Board of Nursing confirmed it has annulled the nursing licenses of 26 individuals, ABC affiliate WPVI reported Jan. 26.

State nursing boards are investigating individuals who allegedly purchased fraudulent nursing school degrees and diplomas as part of a widespread coordinated scheme, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing told Becker's Jan. 26. 

Forty-one percent of nurses nationwide do not feel prepared for a future variant, surge or pandemic, data from the American Nurses Foundation's survey revealed.

By and large, nurses want to be involved in decisions that affect their daily practice at the bedside, with recent evidence suggesting it may even combat burnout.

As the American Medical Association works to block state laws from broadening the scope of advanced practice registered nurses, seven states have explored expanding APRNs' roles.

Depression is prevalent among nurse practitioners, but these burned out professionals are reluctant to reach out for mental healthcare — instead choosing to embrace "maladaptive" personal coping skills including drinking and binge eating, according to a Medscape report.

Here are four nurses who have made headlines for their leadership efforts on and off the job since January 1: