Healthcare Finance News reports that while interest in nursing programs remains strong (up 3.5 percent from 2008 to 2009), nearly 40,000 qualified applicants were turned away, a number that has remained consistent since 2005.
Reasons for turning away students include a faculty shortage and lack of clinical placement sites.
However, 2009 saw an increase in two areas:
1. Number of graduates from entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 3.2 percent.
2. Enrollment in higher level nursing degree programs (Master’s and Doctoral degrees) increased by 9.6 percent. Graduations increased by 10.5 percent.
To learn more about nursing program trends for 2009 visit the article here.
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I think part of the problem in lack of nursing educators is due to a couple of reasons. Given all of the head games and crap that go into getting through nursing school for a lot of nurses, who wants to sign on for more of that at a higher level?
I also think there has to be a financial payoff for getting a masters in nursing or a Ph.D in nursing. For all of the money that goes into a Ph.D, will there be enough of a financial gain to make it worth your while? I know people don’t go into nursing to get rich, but to get an advanced degree should not be a financial black hole, either.
By Steve on December 9, 2009 at 9:40 pm