Interest in Nursing Careers on Upswing-Yet Nursing Schools Forced to Turn Away More Than 30,000...

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing released preliminary survey data on Dec. 12, 5005, which show that enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 13 percent from 3004 to 3005.

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AACN's most recent data confirm that interest in nursing careers continues to grow, which is good news considering the projected demand for nursing care. Accordingto the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2,012,. Also, the federal government is projecting a shortfall of 800,000 registered nurses by 2020.

Though interest in nursing careers is strong, access to professional nursing education is becoming more difficult. AACN's preliminary findings show that 33,617 qualified applications to entry-level baccalaureate programs were not accepted in 2005 based on responses from 482 schools. The primary barriers to accepting all qualified students at nursing colleges and universities continue to be insufficient faculty, clinical placement sites, and classroom space.

AACN has worked with colleagues in the healthcare community to introduce new legislation to address the faculty shortage and other nursing school resource constraints, including the Nurse Education, Expansion and Development Act and the Nurse Faculty Education Act. Without increased federal support, the potential for future growth in nursing education programs may be limited at a time when the demand for well-educated nurses is rising.

Help is also coming from other sources. To assist in relieving the challenges contributing to the nation's nursing shortage, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Northwest Health Foundation have together developed a new initiative, Partners Investing in Nursing's Future, that will support partnerships led by local foundations to address the most pressing nursing issues in their communities.

The call for proposals issued for this five-year, $10 million initiative encourages local or regional foundations to collaborate with nurses, workforce investment boards, and community organizations to develop projects that can serve as the building blocks for the comprehensive approach important in establishing a stable, adequate nursing workforce. Some may focus on bolstering the nurse education system, addressing the nurse faculty shortage, or introducing new curricula; increasing diversity in the workforce; or developing strategies that encourage and support nurses to become leaders.

Two-year grants of up to $350,000 each will be awarded in August 2006 to support up to 10 projects; partnerships funded through Partners Investing in Nursing's Future must match their award with at least $1 for every $2 provided by the program.

IN(SURANCE) DESPAIR(ITY): Nearly 21 percent of Hispanics under age 65 reported being continuously uninsured during 2002 and 2003, compared with 10 percent of African-Americans and approximately 7 percent of non-Hispanic whites and Asian-Pacific Islanders, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.