As labor shortages persist throughout the country, nurses unions have taken increased action to support nursing staff. 

The problems rooted in a nationwide nursing shortage, including its effect on patient care and safety, is the top concern of three nurse leaders.

More than 40 organizations signed a petition, along with more than 6,300 individuals, urging the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to adopt a permanent standard on COVID-19 in healthcare workplaces as temporary emergency standards are set to expire on Dec. 21, National Nurses United said Dec. 16. 

As nursing shortages affected health systems nationwide, colleges and universities launched innovative nursing programs and partnerships to address the persistent issue throughout 2021.

This year has put nursing leaders to the test as they have worked to set up makeshift COVID-19 units, secure personal protective equipment for their teams and provide emotional support during some of the hardest moments of many nurses' careers.

In 2021, millions of dollars in grants and donations expanded nursing schools, funded diversity programs and more. 

While nurses' clinical roles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic dominated news stories, many nurses also made headlines for creative medical innovations or entrepreneurship efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes and protecting healthcare workers. 

Below are 16 hospitals and health systems that recently posted job listings seeking chief nursing officers. 

From saving lives off the job, achieving career milestones and more, here are 22 nurses who made headlines this year:

Dansville, N.Y.-based Noyes Health named Stacey Argentieri, nurse manager of perioperative services at the hospital, the 2021 Daisy Nurse Leader Award winner, Noyes Health said Dec. 13. 

With the holiday season approaching, leaders and colleagues may be searching for what to gift their nursing teams.

Here are four nurses who have made headlines for their leadership efforts on and off the job since Nov. 9:   

Several colleges and universities have launched innovative nursing programs and partnerships to address persistent nursing shortages around the country.

Below are 14 hospitals and health systems that recently posted job listings seeking chief nursing officers. 

Several nurses have been in the news lately for their creative medical innovations or entrepreneurship and philanthropic efforts aimed at improving the healthcare experience for patients and clinicians. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Nov. 18 a new tuition coverage program for 1,000 nursing students in an effort to address staffing shortages. 

New Jersey implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact Nov. 15, which allows registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses to practice in person or via telehealth in all participating states under one multistate license.

Galen College of Nursing, which is part of the HCA Healthcare network, plans to open a new nursing school in Richmond, Va., the organizations said Nov. 16.

Below are 21 hospitals and health systems that recently posted job listings seeking chief nursing officers. 

National Nurses United praised President Joe Biden's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force and urged the group to immediately begin implementing their recommendations to achieve health equity, according to a Nov. 10 press release.