Improved Training for Nurses

One of the few professions that was not affected by economic turndown was nursing. Colleges reported that their nursing population continue to increase. The job opportunity, salary, and benefits of a nurse are getting higher. The only problem is the deficiency of teachers and schools who will teach the next batches of students. Due to lack of instructors and classroom space, nursing schools no longer accept capable applicants. C. Fay Raines, President of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing said that they observe growing demand for nurses, but they require widening of the channel. The extension of programs made by the schools is still not adequate. In Western New York, the following are evident in all nursing programs:

• Erie Community College's  nursing courses drop to an associate level.
• Niagara County Community College has a significant number of waiting list.
• The University at Buffalo has doubled the enrolment in its undergraduate nursing program from 716 in 2008 to 346 in 2004, but still they can’t meet the quota.
• Also, the enrolment for a bachelor’s degree at D’Youville College nearly doubled to 225 in 2007-08 from 118 in 2003-04.

Kathleen Mariano, chairwoman of D'Youville's program, said that like other schools, they have expanded in response to society and national needs. It is also a advantageous career. Nationwide, enrollment schools of nursing became doubled starting 2000. In 2008, enrollment had increased by 2.2%. This was the 8th consecutive year of its development. Since 2003, the yearly percentage continued to level up, but according to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing it started to decline. In addition to this survey, in year 2008, 49,948 capable applications to certified nursing programs were cast off. This includes almost 7,000 applications to master’s and doctoral programs. In 2007, few nursing programs reported that they neglect qualified applicants. In the previous year, from more than 1,200 applicants UB accepted 419. Christine Lezynski, nursing department head at ECC, said that the school rejected 12 students last year because they can no longer accommodate those students. On the other hand, they gave them the alternative of having classes at North Campus in Amherst.

According to Cherie Mavissakalian, division chairwoman at NCCC, this was the first time the school had a important waiting list. Experts say nursing schools are getting large but they can’t pursue their goals because of inadequate numbers of teachers, and subsidy to develop classroom space. They must also continue the demand for nursing classes to let them uphold graduation rates with quality measures. [via]