Nurses are the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system–this statement is not an exaggeration, nor is it disputed by experts whose task it is to devise strategies to combat the current nursing shortage, which shows no signs of abating and, in fact, is projected to worsen. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be a shortage of registered nurses in the US surpassing 800,000.
The seemingly simple answer to the question of how to reduce the nursing shortage is to increase the number of nursing school graduates. This, however, has not turned out to be a simple proposition. Why? There are several explanations, but the lack of available faculty and infrastructure to support the graduation of higher numbers of nursing students are the two most common reasons cited.
Lack of Qualified Instructors
The shortage of qualified nursing instructors has been blamed on the lack of perceived support for nurses to complete their education at the master’s level. Low wages make the prospect of becoming an instructor unattractive for those nurses who do have the necessary credentials. Many of those who have the necessary requirements to instruct at the university level are attracted by higher salaries outside academics. Teaching is often compensated at a lower pay rate than the wages earned by nurses working in hospitals.
Colleges Unable to Keep Up with Demand
Nursing colleges have not been able to keep up with the increased demand for nurses, citing lack of funding, lack of space, and lack of governmental funding support. The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) has stated that almost 50,000 qualified nursing school applicants were turned away from nursing schools in 2008. Of this number, 6,000 were seeking entry to post-graduate programs, who might have become future instructors of nursing students.
Traditional Universities See the Value of Distance Learning
Many “traditional” universities are beginning to add online courses to their programs in an effort to stay competitive. Today’s students are less concerned with a school’s name or reputation and more cognizant of which school can offer a stellar education for their money. Students are becoming more discerning as to when and where they can pursue their education.
Non-Traditional Student Demographics
Today’s students are often non-traditional; they are older, are working full time and often have to juggle a family as well. A Distance Learning Today Report conducted by USA Today found that more than half of online students enrolled were registered as over 30 years of age, and 18% were over the age of 40. These are adults who want to change or further their career and need greater flexibility regarding when and how they attend classes in order to be able to handle their many responsibilities.
The Future of Nursing Education
It seems obvious that the future of nursing education will be increasingly shifted to the distance learning or online domain. Although there may be some nursing courses which will need to be taken in the traditional form, most courses can be taken online, freeing up space and resources in colleges which will allow for an increase in the number of graduating nurses.
FAEUF2SN8S7P
Have you been working “in the trenches” as a staff nurse for awhile and ready to consider a change? Are you looking for a position that’s both challenging, fulfilling and pays more than what you currently make?
