Wanda Golden, Chair of the Division of Nursing at Abraham Baldwin College, said several factors are contributing to the nursing shortage.
"One factor is the expansion of employment opportunities in all settings," Golden said. "New roles and jobs for nurses are developing in acute care, primary care in community settings, home health, education, occupational health, research, marketing, and sales.
"Another factor is the aging of the baby boomers. This alone will increase the demand for healthcare through 2030. Aging of the current nursing workforce is another factor. The current ratio of RNs in their 40s to those in their 20s is four to one. One-half of the current RN workforce will reach retirement age within the next 15 years."
ABAC offers many opportunities for students interested in nursing to enroll in the program and obtain their degrees. For the first time ever, students can now enroll in the nursing program during the spring semester, effective January 2001.
In the past, nursing students could only enter the program in the fall. This limited opportunities for students who were ready to begin taking classes in the spring because they had to wait until the fall semester. Also, certain classes were only offered during the fall; now those classes will be offered during both semesters. Students will not have to wait a full year to take a specific class.
Golden said admitting students to the nursing program twice a year will give students more options.
"The change in the admissions process will allow students to enter the program in the spring without having to wait a full year," she said. "It will also allow us to have graduates twice a year, and hopefully, this will have a positive effect on the current nursing shortage. We will also continue to admit LPNs into the LPN to RN Transition Track during summer term."
Students interested in beginning the nursing program in Spring 2001 should start the application process right away. Those who have already applied for Fall 2001 should notify the Division of Nursing if they wish to change their application to the spring semester.
Financial aid is also readily available to nursing majors. Although financial aid applications are processed on a continuing basis, students are encouraged to apply before Dec. 8.
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for RNs will grow 23 percent by 2008, which is faster than the average for all other occupations," Golden said. "The future will bring an increased emphasis on health and illness prevention. Since nursing will play a vital role in this area, it is essential that more students choose to enter the nursing profession."
For additional information on enrolling in the nursing program, contact ABAC's Division of Nursing at (229) 386-3262. For information about applying for financial aid, contact ABAC's Financial Aid Office at (229) 386-3235.
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