The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has just finalized their data for Texas Nursing School enrollment in 2007. I would like to thank Robert Rosseter, Associate Executive Director with AACN, for sharing these numbers with Nurses' Lounge before they have been officially published.

It looks like even though the enrollments are increasing, they are still moving at a slower pace than demand.

In Texas in 2007:

3,306 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, including 2,926 from entry-level baccalaureate programs

Enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate programs increased by 4.1% over the previous year

Enrollment in RN to baccalaureate programs increased by 5.0% over the previous year

Enrollment in master's programs increased by 1.8% over the previous year

Enrollment in research-focused doctoral programs decreased by 6.3% over the previous year

"Given the calls to strengthen the nursing workforce," says Rosseter, "AACN is pleased to see that enrollments in baccalaureate nursing programs have increased for the seventh year in a row. In Texas, the 4.1% increase in entry-level nursing programs is actually lower than the national average of 5.4%."

"Despite the good news," Rosseter continues, "enrollments are not growing fast enough to meet the projected demand, and much more must be done at the federal and state levels to ensure that all citizens have access to nursing care and essential healthcare services."

You can read more about the report on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's website.