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Enrollments
in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by
16.6 percent in fall 2003 over 2002, according to a survey
from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN),
a Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow member organization. However,
more than 11,000 qualified students were turned away from
these programs due to limited faculty, clinical sites and
classroom space.
AACN surveyed
564 (82.7 percent) of the nation's nursing schools with baccalaureate-
and graduate-degree programs. It found that 126,954 students
were enrolled in all nursing programs leading to the baccalaureate
degree in fall 2003, up from 116,099 students at the same
time in 2002. This marks the third year of enrollment increases
in baccalaureate programs, which had declined steadily from
1995 to 2000.
Graduate
enrollments and nurse faculty shortage
The AACN survey also found that enrollments were up in both
master's and doctoral degree nursing programs. Enrollments
in master's degree programs rose 10.2 percent, or 3,350 students,
to a total of 37,251 students. In doctoral programs, enrollments
increased by 5.6 percent, or 171 students, to a total of 3,229
students. However, because of lower enrollments in recent
years, the number of graduates from master's and doctoral
programs in 2003 declined by 2.5 percent and 9.9 percent,
respectively.
The slight
enrollment increase in graduate programs is good news given
the growing concern about the nurse faculty shortage. According
to AACN, the shortage of nurse educators is expected to intensify
over the next 20 years as significant numbers of faculty members
retire and fewer nurses with advanced educational preparation
choose academic careers.
AACN projects
that between 200 and 300 faculty with doctoral degrees will
be eligible for retirement each year from 2003 through 2012,
and between 220 and 280 faculty with master's degrees will
be able to retire annually between 2012 and 2018. Given the
competition for nurses prepared at advanced levels and the
salary differential between positions in higher education
and private practice, the nurse faculty shortage is expected
to intensify and affect nursing education programs at all
levels.
About
the AACN Survey
AACN's 23rd Annual Survey of Institutions with Baccalaureate
and Higher Degree Nursing Programs is conducted each year
by the association's Research Center.
More information about the survey results can be found at
AACN's Web site at www.aacn.nche.edu.
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