Widener

WHY NURSING?

Did you know that there is a shortage of registered nurses?

There is a continuing need for registered nurses, both in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. Enrollments in nursing schools dropped dramatically during the 1990s while the number of people with varying health care needs, particularly those of the "Baby Boomer" generation rose steadily.

Conservative predictions related to the shortage continue to focus on the year 2020 and the anticipated shortage of least 500,000 nurses for that year, caused by lower enrollments in schools of nursing, retirements, as well as high turnover rates in the nurses already employed.

The effects of this shortage are here. Recent studies by well respected nurse /researchers including Widener School of Nursing have documented that the quality of nursing care declines in direct proportion to the nurse patient ratio, leading to avoidable medical complications and, in extreme cases, even deaths. One positive sign, however, is that the trend of lower enrollments is changing. Undergraduate enrollment increased in our School of nursing. The profession must attract and retain more individuals in the profession.

If you are interested in learning about the number and types of careers for nurses and more about the wonderful world of nursing at Widener University School of Nursing telephone us at 610-499-4212. Schedule an appointment today and: