There aren’t enough nurses in the United States today. A report by National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of 78,610 full-time equivalent registered nurses (RNs) by 2025 and a 63,720 shortfall in 2030. This unsettling fact impacts the availability and quality of healthcare services for everyone—now and in the future. The demand for well-educated nurses, particularly in leadership and specialized positions, is especially high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, projects about 194,500 openings for RNs each year, on average, over the next decade.
We spoke with Hannah Hughes, PhD, MBA, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, a healthcare workforce consultant and portfolio director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), about this critical shortage and how a BSN from UMGC can help registered nurses expand their skills and enhance their careers as they contribute to meeting this need.
What is the current state of the nursing field, and how do you see that changing in the coming years?
Very simply, we need nurses! And we need more highly educated nurses to fill leadership positions in areas like community health, patient safety, nurse training, telehealth, research, and case management.
Our aging population means people are living longer and requiring more care for longer periods. The current and projected nursing shortages clearly represent a threat to the promise of available, high-quality healthcare delivery in the U.S. Having an adequate workforce of qualified health service providers—particularly nurses—is essential.
Nurses can help to address this shortage in the short and long term by enhancing and expanding their skills through education and contributing to the future of the nursing workforce.
Why would someone who is already a registered nurse want to add a BSN?
While many nurses choose to pursue a BSN for personal fulfillment, holding a BSN also offers many opportunities for nurses to advance professionally. In light of the increasing complexities in healthcare and nursing practice, there is a national push to enhance the education of the nursing workforce. Many management and leadership positions now require a BSN, as do some specialty practice areas and professional certifications. A BSN prepares and positions nurses to practice nursing to its full extent within their scope.
How long has UMGC had an RN-to-BSN program, and how has it changed since its inception?
The first nursing courses offered at UMGC for the RN-to-BSN began in spring 2014. Because healthcare is ever-changing, we’ve always recognized the importance of staying up to date with evolving trends—and we’ve done just that.
Most recently, we launched a revised curriculum to be sure we're preparing students to provide exceptional evidence-based nursing care to patients, families, and communities in a dynamic healthcare system. The updated curriculum emphasizes leadership, advocacy, social justice, health equity, and healthcare quality and safety.
What accreditation does UMGC’s RN-to-BSN program have, and why is that important?
The RN-to-BSN program at UMGC is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation is important because it’s an indication of program quality. Many employers, including the federal government, require that nurses graduate from an accredited program. Most higher education institutions require that nurses applying to their programs earn their prior degrees and initial nursing education from an accredited program.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and is a constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.
What are the admission requirements for UMGC's program?
Aside from meeting UMGC’s undergraduate admission requirements, there are three requirements for enrollment in the BSN program: First, applicants must reside in a state where the BSN program is approved to be offered. Second, they must hold an associate degree or diploma (or the equivalent) in nursing. Third, they must hold an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from a U.S. state where the program is approved to be offered or a multi-state license.
UMGC’s RN-to-BSN program is a good fit for RNs who are looking for a pathway to advancement in their careers. It's designed to help nurses build their knowledge and applicable skills as well as to develop expertise in critical thinking, clinical assessment and judgment, communication and collaboration, and other aspects of patient care.
It is an online program with an in-person community health practice experience requirement toward the end of the program. The curriculum is refreshed and updated regularly, with a focus on building upon your established clinical knowledge and experience toward improved patient outcomes.
We seek to align students’ interests in identifying and selecting a community-based practice experience site. We have recently added some gaming and simulation components to our program and curriculum.
In addition, we focus on serving adult learners and ensuring that learning is current, relevant, and career-focused. We also promote a student-centered environment focused on your success!
What kinds of integral nursing skills can students develop in the BSN program at UMGC?
UMGC's nursing program is based on the AACN Essentials, standards set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing regarding the competencies that nurses are expected to achieve. Our program reinforces leadership and interprofessional collaboration with an emphasis on the roles of nurses in the delivery of care across the healthcare continuum.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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