Schools Aim to Shrink Nursing Shortage

Schools Aim to Shrink Nursing Shortage

Schools Aim to Shrink Nursing Shortage

Laurel Andersen graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken with a psychology degree only to realize that she would rather become a nurse. She then decided to return to USC Aiken, in order to earn a second degreea bachelor's degree in nursing. Going back to school to obtain a second degree is becoming increasingly popular due in large part to the ease and convenience of online schools.

Experts predict that the nation's need for nurses is only going to increase in coming years. As our economy improves and the population of senior citizens grows due to the aging baby-boomer generation, the number of nurses required to provide adequate health care will grow as well. While the expected nursing shortage may prompt college students to pursue a nursing degree, a stronger economy will permit more nurses to explore other career options or retire which won't help in resolving the expected nursing shortage. In addition, other factors like health care reform or the nation's current obesity crisis will contribute to more doctor visits and create a necessity of care for chronic conditions.

Taking these factors into consideration, nursing organizations across the country such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and the National League for Nursing have encouraged schools, as well as online nursing programs to create a greater interest among students in pursuing nursing degrees.

Dr. Lucy Marion, dean of Medical College of Georgia's School of nursing predicts a significant nursing shortage in the near future. "We will be reaching crisis proportions again if our economy grows again as predicted, certainly within 10 years." Dr. Marion cites "too few nurses choosing to advance their education" as a major contributor to the shortage.

If you're a student interested in pursuing a nursing degree, now's the best time to enroll in an online university or ground school and earn the degree that will qualify you for a number of versatile nursing positions across the nation.

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