CONTACT: Carla Gazlay
(202) 463-6930, x227
cgazlay@aacn.nche.edu

For Immediate Release

NURSING SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS CONTINUE TO POST DECLINE,
THOUGH AT SLOWER RATE

Declines in Bachelor's-Degree and Master's Enrollments Fall to Half of Previous Year's Pace; Doctoral Classes See First Significant Growth in Five Years

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 13, 2001 -- Enrollment of nursing students in entry-level bachelor's-degree programs fell by 2.1 percent in fall 2000 and master's-degree enrollments at nursing schools declined by 0.9 percent, compared to a year ago, according to the latest annual survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Meanwhile, in doctoral nursing programs, where growth had remained essentially flat for the last five years, enrollments rose by 2.5 percent (71 students) in fall 2000 compared to the previous academic year, the AACN survey found.

Although nursing enrollments fell in entry-level bachelor's- and master's-degree programs by less than half the 4.6 percent and 1.9 percent drops, respectively, the year before, the continued declines -- the sixth annual drop in baccalaureate enrollments and third consecutive decline in master's enrollments in as many years -- come as demand for baccalaureate- and graduate-prepared nurses continues to accelerate in more cities nationwide. Hospitals, primary care centers, home care agencies, outpatient surgical centers, and other health facilities in many regions are reporting mounting shortages of registered nurses -- the largest health care profession -- to meet health care and health promotion needs for the near future.

Declines in entry-level baccalaureate nursing enrollments were seen in every region in fall 2000 except the West, which realized an increase of less than 1 percent (0.9 percent). Other regions saw decreases ranging from 4.7 percent in Midwest schools, 1.6 percent in Southern states, and 1.2 percent in North Atlantic schools, compared to the previous year.

Master's-degree enrollments grew in some regions, however. Although the number of master's students fell by 3.6 percent in North Atlantic nursing schools and declined by 2.2 percent in Southern states, those numbers increased by 4.5 percent in the West and rose slightly by 0.7 percent in the Midwest.

Doctoral programs were the only degree tracks in every region to not post enrollment declines compared to a year earlier, the AACN survey found. Nursing schools in the Midwest saw the highest doctoral enrollment gains (up by 4.5 percent), followed by increases of 4.0 percent in the South, 0.4 percent in the West, and no increase (0.0 percent) in North Atlantic schools.

AACN's findings are based on responses from a total of 529 (78.8 percent) of the nation's nursing schools with bachelor's- and graduate-degree programs that were surveyed in fall 2000. Data reflect actual counts; projections are not used. Programs offering two-year associate degrees and hospital diplomas are not included.

Two-year changes in enrollments and graduations, respectively, are based on responses from a matched group of 499 and 491 schools reporting in both 1999 and 2000.

Declines May Be Moderating

"Hopefully, we are witnessing the early effects of the last two years of widespread media coverage of the emerging nursing shortage, as well as word of the expanding array of rewarding professional opportunities in contemporary nursing, finally reaching wider numbers of potential students," explains AACN President Carolyn A. Williams, PhD, RN, FAAN. "In particular, the declining ranks of graduates from entry-level baccalaureate programs, fueled by falling enrollments over the last several years, posted a smaller decrease in 2000 than a year earlier [6.7 percent, compared to a decline of 7.7 percent in 1999]."

Overall, schools responding to the AACN survey reported 103,999 students enrolled in bachelor's-degree nursing programs in fall 2000. Included in this total are 72,986 entry-level students and 31,013 registered nurses (with two-year associate degrees or hospital diplomas) who returned to school to obtain the bachelor's degree in nursing in RN-to-baccalaureate programs. Between August 1999 and July 2000, 23,102 students graduated from entry-level baccalaureate programs at responding schools.

RN-to-Baccalaureate Enrollments See Strong Declines in Every Region

RN-to-baccalaureate programs graduated 11,516 students at responding schools between August 1999 and July 2000. In a matched sample of schools reporting in both 1999 and 2000, the ranks of RN-to-baccalaureate graduates fell by 0.4 percent, the AACN survey found. However, unlike doctoral programs, which experienced no enrollment declines in any region, enrollments in RN-to-baccalaureate programs saw declines in every region in fall 2000, ranging from 8.3 percent in the South to 8 percent in North Atlantic schools, 5.6 percent in the Midwest, and 5.4 percent in Western states.

Nationally, fall 2000 enrollments of RN-to-baccalaureate students declined by 7.2 percent below the year before.

In master's-degree nursing programs, which prepare advanced practice clinicians in a wide array of specialties as well as administrators and educators, enrollments totaled 31,862 students in fall 2000. Master's programs graduated 10,272 students between August 1999 and July 2000. In a matched sample of schools reporting in both 1999 and 2000, the number of master's-degree graduates fell by 3.9 percent.

Enrollments in doctoral nursing programs totaled 3,024 students nationwide in fall 2000, the AACN survey found. Responding schools graduated 444 students with doctoral degrees between August 1999 and July 2000, with the ranks of doctoral graduates climbing by 23.3 percent (84 individuals) in a matched group of schools reporting in both years.

Copies of the AACN report, 2000-2001 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, will be available after March 1 for $35 (including postage), prepaid orders only, from AACN, Dept. 178, Washington, DC 20055-0178; (202) 463-6930. Copies also can be ordered at AACN's Web site by downloading the Publications Order Form.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is the national voice for university and four-year-college education programs in nursing. Representing more than 550 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide, AACN's educational, research, governmental advocacy, data collection, publications, and other programs work to establish quality standards for bachelor's- and graduate-degree nursing education, assist deans and directors to implement those standards, influence the nursing profession to improve health care, and promote public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice.

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EDITORS: News media can obtain an advance copy of the AACN report by contacting the AACN Office of Public Affairs at 202-463-6930, x227, or cgazlay@aacn.nche.edu.