US on the Verge of a Nursing Shortage

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One of the most frightening things facing patients and their families today is the fact that there is an ongoing nursing shortage that is only getting worse as time goes on. Although the current shortage has been evident for decades, a number of factors have increased the shortage and unless something doesn’t change in the very near future, the problem can only get worse and that would be tragic for the medical industry. Here are some thoughts on the causes of, and possible solutions for, the nursing shortage as offered by counselors for the Bradley University doctor of nursing practice programs.

The Cost of Tuition Is Not the Leading Problem

Bradley University is not alone in looking at the economy as one of the underlying causes for the severe shortage of nurses in the United States. Although the rising cost of tuition at most campuses is a major concern, that isn’t the sum total of problems besetting today’s student. The main problem is the cost of living. When attending courses at a college campus, you are not (for the most part) free to pick and choose when you take that class.

Economic Woes Are at the Root of the Problem

Yes, you may be able to take that class in the daytime and sometimes it may be offered as an evening class but you aren’t free to choose which days and which times the courses you need are offered. With the economy in such dire straits, students are forced to work longer hours than they previously had to work. Even with grants and student loans, it is virtually impossible to make it through an entire degree program without working to survive.

Balancing Work and Study

One of the reasons why Bradley University is happy about their DNP online programs is the fact that students will not need to choose between work and college. When entering the DNP program as an RN it is only a matter of taking all classes online. Their students are not required to attend on-campus courses and everything that is required is available online. In fact, there are no internships or practicums necessary. The course is offered in its sum total online. Since the student can pick and choose which days of the week are best for learning and which are best for working, there is no need to give up a job that supports him or her while working towards that degree. In fact, their job as an RN is even beneficial to their studies because it is in the very same field.
Nurses wishing to further their careers can take graduate courses online which can inspire undergrad nursing students along the way. Undergrads may be required to participate in practicums as part of their required course of study but many classes can be taken online. Don’t let the economy stop you from getting that degree you’ve always wanted. You can do most, if not all, of your classes online while working a full time job. As the old saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”