Facing the Deficit Challenge
eLine Student Population in Texas
(Electronic Learning in Nursing Program)
Statistics suggest that at some point in life, everyone will encounter a major illness, of a loved one or perhaps their own. But imagine being seriously ill during the middle of a nationwide nursing shortage. It’s a frightening thought, but unfortunately, it could become a reality.
For the past decade, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been aggressively devising strategies to combat a nursing shortage. The efforts paid off on Sept. 1, 2004, as the University welcomed an important milestone in its 57-year history: the transformation of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences into the University’s fifth college.
Under the leadership of Dean Mary Jane Hamilton, the new college debuted with 528 undergraduate students, 195 graduate students, 25 faculty and nine staff members. It also introduced an accelerated bachelor of science nursing program, which allows students to graduate in just 18 months, rather than the traditional two years. The only difference is the curriculum’s compressed format.
As the world continues to embrace high-tech advancements, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences has introduced the eLine (Electronic Learning in Nursing Education) Program, which offers a Web-based curriculum. The program is breaking down traditional barriers such as geographic distance or time constraints. Nursing students still complete their clinical hands-on learning, but at a hospital close to their home.
As University officials continue to combat the nursing shortage, there is a sobering realization of many obstacles still to overcome. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. And for the first time, the U.S. Department of Labor has singled out registered nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth for the next 10 years.
Hiring and retaining faculty is also a growing concern. The average salary of a nurse in a clinical setting is $95,000 a year, while educators average $60,000 a year. Not only is it getting harder to attract new graduates into the teaching profession, but the average age of current nursing faculty at universities is 57, just years shy of the retirement age of 62.
Schools across Texas have begun to turn students away from their nursing programs because of the lack of space, available clinical sites and faculty. And although the University has yet to turn any students away, there is currently a waiting list for admission.
The University remains committed to combating the nursing shortage through continued growth of its programs and additional faculty, which will present new opportunities for University partners to help in meeting critical goals.
By the Numbers New and replacement nurses needed by 2012 Average salary for a nurse educator Average salary for a nurse in a clinical setting Average age of nursing faculty Typical retirement age
An accelerated bachelor of science nursing program allows students to graduate in just 18 months.
President's Report
2006
