The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has released preliminary survey data showing that enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by only 2.0 percent from 2007 to 2008. Though this marks the eighth consecutive year of enrollment growth, the annual increase in student capacity in four-year nursing programs has declined sharply since 2003 when enrollment was up by 16.6 percent. Enrollment growth in master’s nursing programs has also decreased, and the number of students entering research-focused doctorates appears to be flat based on early reporting.
AACN’s latest data confirms that interest in nursing careers remains high with schools of nursing receiving many more qualified applications than can be accommodated. Preliminary data for 2008 show that 27,771 qualified applicants were turned away from entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs based on responses from 406 institutions. Most schools point to a shortage of faculty as the primary reason for turning away students. AACN expects this number to increase when final data is available in March 2009.
“If our nation’s nursing schools are to effectively address the current and future nursing shortage, we must find ways to expand student capacity and accommodate all qualified applicants in our programs,” said AACN President Fay Raines.
View a graphic depicting enrollment changes from 1994-2008.
