The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recently released preliminary survey data showing that enrollment in all types of professional registered nursing (RN) programs increased from 2010 to 2011, including a 3.9 percent increase in entry-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs. AACN’s annual survey findings are based on data reported from 647 of the 840 nursing schools in the United States (77 percent response rate) with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs. In a separate survey, AACN also found a strong hiring preference for new nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level as well as a comparatively high job-placement rate for new BSN graduates.
“With the Institute of Medicine and other leading authorities calling for significant increases in the number of nurses with baccalaureate and graduate degrees, moving to prepare a more highly educated nursing workforce has become a national priority,” said AACN President Kathleen Potempa, PhD, RN, FAAN. “AACN is pleased to see robust interest in baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral nursing programs, despite deep budget cuts and resource constraints facing many schools of nursing, which may impede future growth.”
Demand increases for baccalaureate nursing education
AACN’s annual survey is the most reliable source for actual (versus projected) data on enrollment and graduations reported by the nation’s baccalaureate- and graduate-degree programs in nursing. This year’s 3.9 percent enrollment increase for entry-level baccalaureate programs is based on data supplied by the same 540 schools reporting in both 2010 and 2011. To download a graphic depicting enrollment changes in baccalaureate nursing programs from 1994-2011, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media-Relations/EnrollChanges.pdf.
The AACN survey also found that the number of students enrolled in baccalaureate degree completion programs—called RN to BSN programs—increased by 13.4 percent from 2010 to 2011 (456 schools reporting). This year marks the ninth year of enrollment increases in these programs, which signals a growing interest among nurses and employers for baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Looking ahead, AACN will work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that enrollment in both baccalaureate- and master’s-level degree completion programs for RNs expands even further to meet the recommendations outlined in the Future of Nursing report published last year by the Institute of Medicine (see http://thefutureofnursing.org).
More students entering graduate nursing programs
Preliminary data from AACN’s fall 2011 survey show that enrollment in master’s and doctoral degree nursing programs increased significantly this year. Nursing schools with master’s programs reported a 7.6 percent jump in enrollments (423 schools reporting) and a 10.5 percent increase in graduations (383 schools reporting). In doctoral nursing programs, the greatest growth was seen in Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, where enrollment increased by 20.6 percent (135 schools reporting) from 2010 to 2011. During this same time period, enrollment in research-focused doctoral programs (PhD, DNS) increased by 6.6 percent, while the number of program graduates was up by 8.9 percent (93 schools reporting).
“Despite recent reports from the National Science Foundation that the number of earned doctorates across disciplines is declining, nursing is seeing the opposite trend with strong interest in both research- and practice-focused doctoral degrees,” said Potempa. “In PhD programs alone, enrollments have increased by more than 40 percent since 2003, which far outpaces enrollment growth in doctoral programs across the other health professions.” As the work to expand access to primary care continues nationwide, many more nurses with doctoral degrees will be needed to provide essential health care services, including nurses to serve as advanced practice registered nurses and in other specialty roles.
Qualified students turned away
Though interest in nursing careers remains strong, many individuals seeking to enter the profession cannot be accommodated in nursing programs, despite meeting all program entrance requirements. Preliminary AACN data show that 51,082 qualified applicants were turned away from 503 entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs in 2011. AACN expects this number to increase when final data on qualified applicants turned away in fall 2011 are available next March. The primary barriers to accepting all qualified students at nursing colleges and universities continue to be a shortage of clinical placement sites, faculty and funding. For a graphic showing the number of qualified applicants turned away from entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs over the past nine years, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media-Relations/TurnedAway.pdf.
Hiring preference for baccalaureate nursing graduates
In addition to its annual survey, AACN also has collected data on the employment of new graduates from entry-level RN programs (baccalaureate and master’s) to assess how well these RNs are doing in securing their first jobs in nursing. Conducted for the second consecutive year, survey findings show that baccalaureate nursing graduates are once again more than twice as likely to have jobs at the time of graduation than those entering the workforce in other fields. Though the employment rate at graduation dipped from 65 percent in 2010 to 56 percent in 2011 for BSN students, the employment rate at four to six months after graduation was almost identical over the two-year period (89 percent in 2010 versus 88 percent in 2011). By comparison, the National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a national survey of 50,000 new college graduates across disciplines and found that only 24 percent of new graduates in 2010 had a job offer at the time of graduation.
This year, AACN collected data on entry-level master’s degree programs (MSNs), which remain a popular pathway into nursing for those transitioning into nursing with degrees in other fields. Graduates from these programs were most likely to have secured jobs at graduation (74 percent for MSNs vs. 56 percent for BSNs) and at four to six months post-graduation (92 percent for MSNs vs. 88 percent for BSNs). These data further illustrate a renewed employer preference for hiring the best educated entry-level nurse possible.
A growing body of research conducted by Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN, and other nurse scientists clearly show that higher levels of RN education are linked to better patient outcomes and lower mortality rates. Surveyed schools of nursing were asked if employers in their area were requiring or strongly preferring new hires with baccalaureate degrees, with the findings showing that 30.1 percent of employers require the BSN for new hires, while 76.6 percent strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses.
“AACN stands ready to work with our colleagues teaching in associate degree programs to ensure a seamless progression into BSN and higher degree programs,” said Potempa. “Our organization has a long history of fostering collaboration and consensus-building, which are necessary to moving the nursing profession forward. AACN encourages new graduates to immediately continue on to graduate level education whenever possible, which will open up new career opportunities in education, research and advanced practice nursing, among others.”
