AACN survey finds decline in enrollment in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs
Enrollment in graduate nursing programs has fallen for the first time since 1988, according to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). It is also down among undergraduate nursing programs, for the second consecutive year. Officials of the AACN say the results of its annual survey of enrollment, graduation, and employment trends reflects concern among students over downsizing and restructuring that is taking place throughout the healthcare industry.
The association found that fall 1996 enrollment in nursing master’s degree programs, such as those leading to nurse practitioner certification, fell 3.4 percent from levels in 1995.
Enrollment in entry-level BSN programs fell 6.2 percent from the previous year.
Of those graduating with an entry-level BSN, 67 percent found jobs at graduation. And 76.4 percent of RN-to-BSN programs reported all their students were employed by graduation. Prospects were also good for graduate-prepared nurses, 95.6 percent of whom received employment offers by graduation.
Programs for doctoral students said 86 percent of students had jobs at graduation. “All of us [nursing school educators] are engaged in faculty searches for experienced people who are prepared at the doctoral level,” said Claudia Johnson, PhD, RN, coordinator of the graduate program in the department of nursing and health sciences at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.
Johnson thinks anecdotal reports of employment difficulties for nurses are overblown. “You hear so much about downsizing,” said Johnson. “But I opened the paper last Sunday to three full pages of classified ads seeking nurses from every level of preparation.” Johnson is director of Nursing Workforce: Beyond 2000 Project, a three-year research and education development project that will identify future regional health needs and work to match the educational qualifications of the nursing work force with those needs.
The AACN sends its annual survey to more than 600 U.S. nursing schools offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs. For a copy of the survey send $35 to AACN, Dept. 178, Washington, DC 20055-0178, or call (202) 463-6930.
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