St. Bernard almost had to close its doors in 1992. After aggressive recruitment efforts. the hospital was unable to attract enough healthcare professionals to maintain its services. The hospital was especially in need of registered nurses. The problem had been solved in part by hiring foreign nurses through the H(1)(a) visa program. The hospital had gone through great lengths to hire domestic nurses. and was using the H(1)(a) program only as a last alternative to closing its doors. In the first half of 1997. for example. the hospital placed want ads in the Chicago Tribune and received approximately 200 responses.