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September 22, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Hospitals

US News Names 35 Best BSN Programs in 2027 Rankings

By Healthcare Technology News ·

U.S. News & World Report published its latest ranking of the nation's 35 best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs on Sept. 22, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The list is part of the media company's 2027 Best Colleges rankings, the 42nd edition, which evaluated nearly 1,700 institutions.

The BSN rankings are built on the average of scores from surveys sent to nursing school administrators and faculty, a peer-assessment method that reflects reputation among educators. For a health system, that peer signal matters: BSN programs are the primary training ground for the registered nurses hospitals depend on, and many employers now favor or require a bachelor's degree for bedside roles.

The timing is notable. Hospitals continue to grapple with nursing shortages, turnover, and reliance on expensive travel nurses. Knowing which schools produce well-regarded graduates helps systems target recruiting, build academic partnerships, and shore up the talent pipeline. For prospective students, the list offers a shorthand for program quality as demand for nurses stays high.

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Hospitals

Illinois Hospital Vista Health Fixes Bounced Paycheck Issue

Vista Health System in Illinois says it fixed a banking issue that caused some employee paychecks to bounce.

Why it matters: Payroll failures hit frontline healthcare workers directly and can damage trust and retention at a time when staffing is already strained.

Hospitals

WakeMed-Atrium Merger Clears Wake County Vote

Wake County commissioners approved the WakeMed-Atrium Health merger in a 5-2 vote, advancing the North Carolina deal to regulatory review.

Why it matters: The deal would expand one of the nation's largest nonprofit systems, testing how regulators weigh hospital consolidation against competition concerns.

Hospitals

Federal Loan Caps Threaten to Worsen Physician Shortage

New federal student loan caps are taking effect as the US physician shortage grows, raising the cost of medical school and threatening care access.

Why it matters: A smaller physician pipeline means longer patient wait times and higher recruiting costs for health systems already stretched thin.