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Modern Healthcare: How these providers are building a nurse pipeline to get ahead

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By Diane Eastabrook

02, Apr 2026

Why This Matters

  • Providers are investing heavily in training programs and tuition support to build their workforce, but sustaining these efforts requires reimbursement models that support competitive pay and career advancement opportunities for nurses.

  • With up to 190,000 nursing vacancies annually, “grow-your-own” programs are proving essential to attract, train, and retain nurses—offering clear career pathways and stronger long-term engagement than traditional hiring approaches.

  • Expanding internal nurse pipelines is increasing care capacity and reducing patient waitlists, enabling providers to accept more referrals and better meet rising demand across home-based and other care settings.

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Modern Healthcare How these providers are building a nurse pipeline to get ahead

Advance Through Nursing program provides loan repayment, on-the-job training

The Modern Healthcare highlights how healthcare providers are adopting “grow-your-own” strategies to address the ongoing nursing shortage by training existing staff into higher-skilled roles. Organizations like BAYADA and DaVita are investing in scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and residency programs to help employees become licensed nurses, improving both recruitment and retention. These initiatives have proven effective, with higher retention rates and expanded care capacity compared to traditional hiring methods.

While the upfront cost of training is significant, providers see long-term value in building a loyal, skilled workforce. As demand for nurses continues to rise, internal talent development is emerging as a critical solution to sustain the healthcare workforce.

"Our position on this is we have to grow our own nurses. There is no other way."

Mike LaRosa, Director of Workforce Development, BAYADA Home Health Care




About BAYADA

BAYADA is a global leader in home health care, providing high-quality nursing, therapy, rehab, hospice, and personal care services for people of all ages and abilities.

A nonprofit built on the values of compassion, excellence, and reliability, BAYADA is transforming care delivery so millions of individuals in need­ can stay safe at home with comfort, independence, and dignity.

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