AHA urges DOL to keep nurses on occupation shortage list

The American Hospital Association this week urged the Department of Labor to keep professional nurses and physical therapists on its list of occupations facing shortages. In a letter, the organization also requested DOL to consider expanding the list to include medical doctors and pharmacists. The Schedule A Shortage Occupation List assists in hiring international workers by permitting employment sponsors to bypass a requirement to conduct a test of the labor market and apply for a permanent labor certification ─ a process that can take at least a year. The department sought comments on whether it should expand the list of Schedule A occupations. (AHA News article, 2/20/24)