• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

AACN study finds increased enrollment in nursing programs, large numbers of applicants turned away

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, December 20, 2005

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recently released survey data indicating an increase in entry-level baccalaureate nursing program enrollment for a fifth consecutive year, but the AACN also expressed concern over the number of qualified applicants who were denied entry by nursing schools in 2005. According to the AACN's preliminary findings, enrollment jumped by 13% from 2004 to 2005 across the 408 schools participating in the survey. However, the AACN found that more than 32,000 aspiring students were turned away from nursing schools because of a shortage of nursing faculty, insufficient clinical placement sites, and inadequate classroom space. Evidence connects higher levels of nursing education to positive patient outcomes and greater RN job satisfaction, prompting groups such as federal agencies, national nursing organizations, and ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® designated facilities to promote efforts to prepare more nurses at the baccalaureate level. For instance, as one of several measures to address the faculty shortage, the AACN is shaping new legislation to support nursing faculty development and enrollment growth. They also obtained new funding earlier this year for graduate nursing education through the Department of Education's Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program.

Source: US Newswire

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive