Record Number of Applicants Turned Away from Nursing Programs

The American Association of Colleges of Nurses reports that in 2008, a record 41,385 qualified applicants were turned away by nursing programs due to either a lack of nurse educators, clinical sites, classroom space and/or budget constraints. This number includes nearly 7,000 MSN and PhD applicants.

At the same time, the good news is that BSN enrollment numbers have also continued to rise since 2001. However, in 2008, the increase was only 2.2%; perhaps indicating that schools have just about reached their maximum capacities. Prior to 2001, enrollment in nursing programs had been declining from 1995-2000. The events of 9/11 influenced a great number of Americans to seek careers in healthcare.

The number of students successfully completing their nursing education has also risen steadily since 2001. The increase was 8.7% from 2007-2008. Schools have successfully taken measures to screen applicants carefully to improve this success rate. Many schools require applicants to have some experience in patient care such as working as a CNA, EMT or MA. This exposure has prepared them for the nursing field.

Doctoral programs reported a small increase in enrollment as well as successful graduation numbers from 2007-2008, but MSN programs reported a decline. These numbers significantly impact the number of nurse educators being trained to help ease the nursing shortage.

The current doctoral candidates are not necessarily preparing to become nurse educators, but rather nurse researchers. This is an area of great need as well according to the AACN who encourages this growth pattern. Nurse researchers help to provide evidence of need for change in areas such as working conditions, quality of patient care as well as to substantiate the need for continued programs such as the Title VIII Nurse Workforce monies to support nursing education of clinicians, researchers, and nurse educators.

Congress has taken action to address the critical need for nurses and to assist with nursing education issues with the NEED Act (Nurse Education Expansion and Development Act) which was introduced in the 110th Congress and again in the current 111th. President Obama also worked with the Congress to enact legislation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to address the nursing shortage and to provide funds in the 2010 FY budget.

The current nursing education enrollment numbers are not sufficient to address the projected shortage of nurses (1 million by 2020) and meet the needs of the American public. Without nurses, no health care reform program has a chance to survive. This issue needs to remain on the front burner and be addressed continuously until a solution is reached for this crisis.

By Kathy Quan RN, BSN, PHN, contributing author for RNdegrees.net. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and the owner/author of TheNursingSite.com. ©2009 by RnDegrees.net

Become a Nurse Educator - Online
Prepare yourself for a vital role in nurse education, training or staff development through earning your MSN - Nurse Educator degree online. Transform the future of health care - one student at a time: Explore Online Nurse Educator Programs

The College Network

Online

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University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

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University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

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Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

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American Career College

Campus

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Walden University

Online

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West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

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Ontario
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California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

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Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

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Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

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Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

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Addison

Career Colleges of America

Campus

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Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

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Rancho Mirage
Santa Maria
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Ventura

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

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Campus Locations:

Fairfield
Orange
Elk Grove
West Covina

Charter College

Campus

You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find new opportunities after graduation.

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Canyon Country
Lancaster
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Oxnard

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

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Campus Locations:

Redding
Clovis
Stockton
Modesto

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.

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Campus Locations:

Phoenix

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

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Colton
Anaheim

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

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Fort Lauderdale

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

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Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

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Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

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Chicago

Everest College

Campus

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Torrance
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Anaheim
Hayward
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Los Angeles
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Reseda
San Francisco
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Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

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Alhambra
Riverside
Ontario

Heald College

Campus

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UEI College

Campus

UEI College can give you the real world medical, business, and technology skills you need to start a rewarding career. Let us know how we can assist you with your personal growth by helping you train for your perfect career.

Programs:

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Bakersfield
Gardena
Stockton
Riverside
Fresno

Milan Institute

Campus

Successful careers begin at the Milan Institute. We offer quality hands-on training, experienced faculty and a staff committed to helping you realize your goals.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Administrative Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Bakersfield
Clovis
Visalia
Indio

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

WyoTech

Campus

The career-focused programs at WyoTech can give you the hands-on training you need to succeed. Program areas includemechanics, technician training, and technology.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
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Campus Locations:

Long Beach

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

What's another reason that makes Mayfield College the right choice? Students receive a new computer when they graduate.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Cathedral City