NANNNA Visits HCI HQ: A Shared Vision for the Future of Nursing

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting five board members from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA) at our Cincinnati headquarters. Their visit wasn’t just a meet-and-greet. It was a meaningful moment of connection, rooted in a shared commitment to investing in the future of the global nursing workforce.

At Health Carousel, we believe that nursing sustainability depends not only on filling roles but also on building systems that support nurses throughout their entire professional journey. NANNNA shares that belief, and our time together reinforced just how aligned our missions truly are.

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NANNNA’s Impact: Building a Sustainable Future for Nursing in Nigeria and the U.S.

During their visit, the NANNNA board shared powerful stories that reflected the depth and impact of their work, not only as advocates, but as leaders shaping the future of nursing across continents.

One story stood out. A nursing school in Nigeria had lost its accreditation and had been closed for eight years. At the time, the school admitted fifty students twice a year. That’s eight hundred missed opportunities for aspiring nurses. Through NANNNA’s advocacy and partnership with Nigerian leaders, the school reopened. Hundreds of students now have a path to pursue nursing, a profession that not only transforms lives but also strengthens healthcare systems from the ground up.

Secondly, NANNNA identified a critical bottleneck to developing an adequate supply of nurses: the lack of qualified nurse educators. With support from the Health Carousel Foundation, NANNNA has awarded 70 nurse educator scholarships. Upon graduating and assuming their roles within Kenya’s nursing schools, these individuals will train thousands of new Nigerian nurses spanning the decades of their teaching careers. This is the multiplier effect in action. Empowering a few nurse educators opens the door for hundreds more aspiring nurses to enter the profession.

These two programs are the kind of work that builds true sustainability by investing not just in individuals, but in the systems and structures that support them. While much of NANNNA’s focus centers on giving back to Nigeria, they also continue to be a vital force for Nigerian nurses in North America. Through mentorship, academic partnerships, professional development opportunities, and a strong chapter network, they’ve created a vibrant, supportive community for nurses at every stage of their career.

In every conversation with NANNNA’s leadership, one thing was clear: they are building a stronger nursing workforce. They are also helping ensure that the next generation of Nigerian nurses, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to thrive.

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From Conversation to Confirmation: A Look Inside the Visit

During their time with us, the NANNNA board met with leaders from across Health Carousel, including our International Recruitment, International Employee Supervisor, Arrivals, and Clinical teams. We walked them through how we support the international healthcare professionals we work with throughout every stage of their journey, from recruitment and relocation to long-term career growth in the U.S.

What stood out most was the reaction from our guests. The NANNNA leaders were energized by their time with our teams. It wasn’t just the programs themselves that impressed them, but the people behind them. They told us they could feel the commitment in every conversation and left with the clear impression that what we’re doing here is meaningful.

Throughout the visit, we shared:

• How we guide nurses through licensure and immigration, with zero cost to the nurse, support from top immigration attorneys, and reimbursements for NCLEX, English exams, and VisaScreen certifications

• What relocation and arrival support looks like, including airport pickup, housing allowances, and help getting a driver’s license, a car, and essentials for settling into life in the U.S.

• How we prepare nurses clinically, from transition-to-practice coursework before deployment to a dedicated clinical team and ongoing continuing education support after arrival

• Our long-term career support, including a structured clinical ladder, education scholarships, travel nursing opportunities, and potential return offers from their original healthcare facility

“We were blown away by the level of support HCI provides. It’s not just the programs – it’s the people. You can see and feel that they care deeply about every nurse’s journey.”
– Dr. Grace Ogiehor-Enoma, DHA, MSN, MPH, RN, NE-BC Board Chair, National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA)

This wasn’t a one-way presentation. It was a two-way dialogue that confirmed the strength of our model while reinforcing the importance of building programs with purpose.

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Leading Together Toward What’s Next

The global nursing shortage is complex, and no single program, policy, or organization can solve it alone. But what became even more clear during this visit is that partnerships like this one are part of the path forward.

When associations like NANNNA and companies like Health Carousel come together, we bring different tools to the table – advocacy, infrastructure, investment, and education – all in service of a shared goal: strengthening the nursing profession and improving health outcomes across communities.

“We’re proud to be in partnership with organizations like NANNNA, because when we lead together, we create the kind of change that lasts.” Andrew Lingo, Executive Director, Health Carousel Foundation

To the NANNNA board: thank you for making the trip to Cincinnati, for your leadership, and for the vision you bring to this work. We’re honored to walk alongside you as we build what’s next.

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To learn more about the Health Carousel Foundation and our commitment to global nurse sustainability, visit:
www.foundation.healthcarousel.com/