Nurses used to have their own thing, that went away a long time ago. I suppose they could bring it back.
I actually know someone who came on a H1b, but that is pretty rare. She is a Matron. Well was then. I do not remember if she went EB2 or 3, I doubt it mattered then.
Nurses do not have to do PERM.
It is all a numbers game really, just look at the number of H1b cap applicants, I think I can remember when it was not a lottery, or at least one with very good odds. As you see options become impractical then inevitably there is a cascade effect into other categories. H1b became a pathway to immigrate, what do you expect?