The Nursing Shortage Is Still a Problem
The nurse shortage in the United States has been no a secret, but it is projected to be a continuing problem. To fill vacant positions across the nation, hospitals need 116,000 registered nurses, which equals to an 8.1 percent nurse vacancy, according to a 2007 report released by the American Hospital Association. The lack of nurses in the United States is affecting hospital ability to provide patients with adequate care, resulting in more injuries and deaths, as well as resulting in poor working conditions for those currently working as nurses. The shortage has little to do with a lack of qualified applicants and more to do with the lack of qualified faculty and facilities. According to the report "Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing" by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 54,991 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools in the United States because of the lack of faculty, classrooms, budget constraints, and clinical sites and preceptors.
In spite of these problems, more and more students are entering nursing programs and enrollment is improving. From 2008 to 2009, enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 3.5 percent, according to a study from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The same study showed that enrollment in master's and doctoral programs also increased significantly, with nursing schools with master's programs reporting an enrollment increase of 9.6 percent and those with doctoral programs reporting a 20.5 percent increase. The largest growth can be seen in Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, with a reported 40.9 percent increase in enrollment. The need for nurses to complete their education on higher levels past a bachelor's is especially great, as there is already a need for qualified nursing faculty and this need will only increase as current instructors begin to retire.
For those entering the nursing field, the chance of employment is excellent and job opportunities are expected to grow faster than average compared to other professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that over 581,500 new positions for registered nurses will be created by 2018, increasing the workforce by 22 percent. It also projected that employment opportunities will not grow by the same rate in every area of health care, and registered nurses can expect the following industries to have the highest areas of employment: physician's offices, 48 percent; home health care services, 33 percent; nursing care facilities, 25 percent; employment services, 24 percent; private and public hospitals, 17 percent.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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