I have always said nursing is not just a career — it’s a calling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nursing workforce shortage was put in the national spotlight. But even now, the demand for nurses continues to grow and is projected to expand well into the next decade.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the projected growth for nurses is double the national average for all occupations between now and 2032. There are more than 193,000 projected openings each year for registered nurses over the course of the next eight years.
The West Virginia University School of Nursing is well-equipped to educate and train future nurses to meet these needs with nursing programs located throughout the state (Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Keyser and our flagship in Morgantown) and online offerings.
The demand for registered nurses is evident, but the demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses is even greater. In a 2011 report, The Future of Nursing, The Institute of Medicine called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce to at least 80 percent to enhance patient safety. A 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey showed that the nursing workforce is falling short of this recommendation, with just over 65 percent of registered nurses having a bachelor’s degree or greater. Multiple studies have shown that nurses who are baccalaureate-prepared deliver better patient outcomes.
Abigail and Josiah Spangler, both WVU School of Nursing alums, serve as co-directors at Wellspring, a nonprofit in Greenbrier County serving disadvantaged and unhoused populations. Their background in nursing has uniquely prepared them to assess and diagnose the problems in the community and implement creative solutions to improve health and well-being.
Supporting WVU nursing programs is also an excellent way to build a more prosperous future for state residents. For example, a career in nursing with a median annual pay of more than $80,000 is well above the median household income in West Virginia of $55,000.
We are incredibly grateful that Gov. Jim Justice has recognized this smart investment by providing funding for the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program over the last two years, which has allowed us to increase our enrollment and provide scholarships to students with financial need. We have also been able to purchase simulation equipment that allows our students to practice hands-on skills in a controlled setting before working with live patients. We are hopeful for the support of Gov. Justice’s proposed $30 million addition to this program.
We are excited to build on the strength and quality of the WVU School of Nursing programs reflected in our first-time NCLEX licensure pass rates. The most recent results from our fall 2023 graduates yielded a 94 percent first-time pass rate on our Beckley Campus, which is well above the 80 percent benchmark set for West Virginia. Our licensure pass rates are a testament to our excellent faculty, who are clearly preparing our nursing students with the knowledge and clinical skills they need to succeed.
The School of Nursing proudly carries the WVU land-grant mission of advancing health care and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity. State support helps us advance even further.
Let’s go.
Tara Hulsey is the dean of the WVU School of Nursing.
