The American Association of Colleges of Nursing released preliminary survey data on Dec. 12, 2005, which show that enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 13 percent from 2004 to 2005.

Last year’s increase in enrollments is based on data supplied by the same 408 schools responding to AACN’s annual survey in both 2004 and 2005. This is the fifth consecutive year of enrollment increases.

AACN’s most recent data confirm that interest in nursing careers continues to grow, which is good news considering the projected demand for nursing care. According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. Also, the federal government is projecting a shortfall of 800,000 registered nurses by 2020.

Though interest in nursing careers is strong, access to professional nursing education is becoming more difficult. AACN’s preliminary findings show that 32,617 qualified applications to entry-level baccalaureate programs were not accepted in 2005 based on responses from 432 schools. The primary barriers to accepting all qualified students at nursing colleges and universities continue to be insufficient faculty, clinical placement sites, and classroom space.

AACN has worked with colleagues in the health-care community to introduce new legislation to address the faculty shortage and other nursing school resource constraints, including the Nurse Education, Expansion and Development Act and the Nurse Faculty Education Act. Without increased federal support, the potential for future growth in nursing education programs may be limited at a time when the demand for well-educated nurses is rising.

Help is also coming from other sources. To assist in relieving the challenges contributing to the nation’s nursing shortage, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Northwest Health Foundation have together developed a new initiative, Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future, that will support partnerships led by local foundations to address the most pressing nursing issues in their communities.