I have always said that nursing is not just a career, it is a calling. During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the nursing shortage has received national attention. However, the demand for nurses continues to grow and is expected to grow even further over the next decade.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the projected growth for nurses between now and 2032 is twice the national average for all occupations. Over the next eight years, the number of registered nurse job openings is projected to rise to more than 193,000 each year.
The West Virginia University School of Nursing is equipped to educate and train future nurses to meet these needs through nursing programs offered throughout the state (at flagship locations in Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Kaiser, and Morgantown) and online. It's in place.
While there is a clear demand for certified nurses, the demand for nurses with a bachelor's degree is even greater. In its 2011 report, “The Future of Nursing,'' the Institute of Medicine called for increasing the number of nurses with a bachelor's degree to at least 80 percent of the workforce to improve patient safety. The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey showed that the nursing workforce is below this recommendation, with just over 65 percent of registered nurses having a bachelor's degree or higher. Studies have shown that nurses with a bachelor's degree improve patient outcomes.
WVU School of Nursing graduates Abigail and Josiah Spangler are co-directors of Wellspring, a Greenbrier County nonprofit serving the underprivileged and unhoused. Their nursing backgrounds have uniquely prepared them to assess and diagnose problems in their communities and implement creative solutions to improve health and well-being.
Supporting WVU's nursing program is also a great way to build a more prosperous future for state residents. For example, a nursing career with an average annual salary of more than $80,000 is far more than West Virginia's median household income of $55,000.
We are extremely grateful that Governor Jim Justice has recognized this wise investment in funding the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program over the past two years. This allowed us to increase enrollment and provide scholarships to students in financial need. We were also able to purchase simulation equipment that allows students to practice hands-on skills in a controlled environment before working with real patients. We look forward to Governor Justice's proposed additional $30 million in support for this program.
We are excited to further build on the strength and quality of the WVU School of Nursing program, which is reflected in our NCLEX licensure first-time pass rate. In the latest results for Fall 2023 graduates, the Beckley campus' first-time acceptance rate is 94 percent, well above the 80 percent threshold set in West Virginia. Our licensure pass rate is a testament to our highly qualified faculty who unequivocally prepare nursing students with the knowledge and clinical skills they need to succeed.
The School of Nursing proudly supports WVU's land-grant mission of promoting health care and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity. State support will help us go further.
Alright, let's go.
Tara Halsey is dean of the WVU School of Nursing.
