Growth slows in nursing school admissions

Annual admissions to pre-licensure nursing programs fell in 2008 for the first time in at least six years, according to a report from the National League of Nursing.

Since 2003, nursing program admissions consistently moved upward, achieving an overall increase of more than 36% during that period, the report found. But in 2008, new admissions fell by almost 2% across all pre-licensure program types, the report found. Also, overall enrollments in pre-licensure nursing programs were flat in 2008 for the first time in six years.

High levels of unmet demand for admissions persist, according to the report. Nearly one-quarter of U.S. nursing programs of all types reported receiving more qualified applications than could be accepted in 2008. Shortages of faculty, clinical placements and classroom space all worked to impede the expansion of admissions.