Nursing schools turn away thousands even as enrollment dips

May 05, 2023 - 04:03 PM
A woman types on a laptop computer with her left hand as the takes notes in a notebook using a pen with her right hand.

After growing for 20 years, the number of students in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs fell 1.4% last year, according to data released this week by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Enrollment also fell 9.4% in master’s nursing programs and 4.1% in Ph.D. nursing programs. Despite the decline, nursing schools turned away thousands of qualified applicants last year, largely due to a shortage of faculty and clinical training sites, the association said.

“With enrollments trending downward, academic and practice leaders should work together to ensure that schools are able to accommodate all qualified applicants to meet the growing demand for nurses to provide care and serve as faculty, researchers, and leaders,” said AACN President and CEO Deborah Trautman.

AHA has urged Congress to enact a number of policies to address the health care workforce shortage emergency, including boosting support for nursing schools, faculty, scholarships and loan forgiveness.
 

Related News Articles

Headline
FTC issues final rule banning most noncompete clauses in employer agreements
The Federal Trade Commission April 23 voted 3-2 to issue a final rule that would ban as an unfair method of competition contractual terms that prohibit workers…
Headline
Senator Durbin: Hospitals’ stories needed to drive meaningful change
As hospital leaders prepared to meet with their lawmakers on April 16 following the conclusion of the AHA's 2024 Annual Membership Meeting, Sen. Dick Durbin, D…
Headline
White House official spotlights the Administration’s efforts on coverage, drug prices, health care workforce
White House Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden spoke to Annual Meeting attendees about the environment hospitals and health systems are facing and…
Headline
AHA podcast: Training Future Health Care Leaders to Address Health Disparities 
Former AHA Board Chair John Bluford describes how the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute, which introduces talented minority undergraduate scholars to…
Headline
Leaders discuss status of rural health care access during Coalition-sponsored event in Washington 
Health care leaders and other officials April 9 discussed challenges to rural health care access and potential solutions during an event in Washington, D.C.…
Chairperson's File
Chair File: Creative Solutions to Support the Health Care Workforce
The people working at hospitals and health systems are the heart of health care. They are heroes every day of the week.Whether performing surgery, caring for…