A nationwide nursing shortage and increased interest in job security may have spurred this year's recent rise in Nursing School applications at the University.
Of the several routes to enrollment in the Nursing School, both application numbers and acceptance rates increased in each one. A student may apply as a first-year undergraduate or after receiving an undergraduate degree. Students also can apply to transfer from other institutions and from within the University.
The number of students who applied as first years increased by 20 percent, and the number of students who applied as transfers increased by 70 percent, Nursing School Asst. Dean Theresa Carroll said.
The Nursing School aims to enroll a first-year class of about 46 to 48 students. The school expects five or six will transfer out of the Nursing School, and therefore the office of admissions extends offers to about 60 students.
By the time a class reaches its third year, the Nursing School aims to have increased the student body from 48 to 64 students in order to accommodate transfer students.
About 35 students applied as transfers last year. This year, 53 applied as external transfers, and 22 applied from within the University.
This year, there was a 60 percent increase in students applying for a second degree in nursing. Usually the admissions office receives about 65 applications for that program. This year, it received 115.
The increase in Nursing School applications is not limited to the University, Carroll said.
"I get the impression from a lot of my colleagues at other colleges that there is an increase in applications," she said.
Several possible reasons may have sparked an increased interest in the nursing profession, including the nationwide nursing shortage. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, the field currently includes about 100,000 vacant positions.
According to an article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, there will be an estimated 434,000 positions vacant by the year 2020 - 20 percent shorter than the total number needed.
"Applying for jobs has just been a wonderful experience. There are a number of good jobs and everyone is hiring," said Dana Baldauf, a fourth year and Nursing School president.
Additionally, the nursing profession remains a stable one that experienced very little unemployment during the recent recession.
"It's a recession-proof, an economy-proof career," Carroll said.
"It's an attractive field in this day of economic downturn. There are a wide range of things that nurses can do after they graduate," Nursing Prof. Barbara Brodie said.
Carroll credited the events of Sept. 11 as a significant factor in the applicant increase.
"This year, I read many applications that said they were inspired to reach out more after September 11," Carroll said.
Nursing School Dean Jeanette Lancaster agreed.
"After September 11, more young people are considering careers in service and commitment. Firefighters and nurses are just two of the professions that were highlighted," Lancaster said.
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