Nursing School Enrollment Is Finally Rising—What That Means for the Future of Nursing

Image source: AACN

New data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reveals that enrollment in nursing programs across the United States is on the rise after several years of stagnation and decline. For nurses, educators, and healthcare leaders, these numbers signal renewed interest in nursing careers and offer hope for building a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce in the years ahead.

Key Findings from the Latest AACN Survey

• Undergraduate Growth: Enrollment in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs increased by 4.9% in 2024, adding over 12,000 new students. This marks the second consecutive year of growth after a brief dip in 2022, bringing the total number of BSN students to nearly 268,000.
• RN-to-BSN Rebound: RN-to-BSN programs, which help associate degree and diploma nurses advance their education, saw a 1.6% increase in enrollment—reversing five years of decline. While still below the 2018 peak, this uptick is a positive sign for career advancement pathways.
• Graduate Program Surge: Master’s degree nursing programs experienced a 4.8% jump in enrollment, the first increase since 2021. These programs prepare nurses for leadership, education, and advanced practice roles, with over 136,000 students now enrolled nationwide.
• Doctoral Trends: While Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs continue to attract students, research-focused PhD programs saw their 11th straight year of enrollment declines, raising concerns about the future pipeline of nurse researchers and faculty.

Source: AACN

Why This Matters for Nurses

• Strengthening the Workforce - The increase in nursing school enrollment comes at a critical time. The U.S. healthcare system faces a persistent nursing shortage, and the demand for registered nurses is projected to grow significantly in the coming decade. More students entering and advancing within the profession helps ensure that hospitals, clinics, and communities have access to skilled, compassionate care.
• Opportunities for Advancement - The growth in RN-to-BSN and graduate programs reflects a strong desire among nurses to further their education, specialize, and move into roles such as nurse practitioners, educators, and administrators. This is vital for both career satisfaction and meeting the complex needs of today’s patients.
• Challenges Remain - Despite the positive enrollment trends, barriers persist. Many qualified applicants are still turned away due to faculty shortages and limited clinical placements. The ongoing decline in PhD program enrollment also threatens the future supply of nurse scientists and educators, which could impact the profession’s ability to innovate and train new nurses.

Source: AACN

What’s Next for the Nursing Profession?

The latest enrollment data is a cause for optimism: more people are choosing nursing, and more nurses are pursuing advanced roles. For current and aspiring nurses, this means greater opportunities for education, specialization, and leadership. For the profession as a whole, it’s a hopeful sign that the next generation is ready to step up and meet the challenges ahead.

Academic leaders and nursing organizations are celebrating these enrollment gains as evidence of the profession’s enduring appeal and resilience. Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and CEO, said: “Academic nursing leaders are pleased to see enrollment growth in baccalaureate and graduate programs last year, which illustrates significant interest in nursing careers among those entering the field and nurses looking to advance into specialty and leadership roles.”

To fully capitalize on this momentum, however, continued investment is needed in nursing faculty, infrastructure, and support systems. Efforts to diversify the student body and reduce barriers to entry will also be crucial for building a workforce that reflects and serves all communities.

🤔 Nurses, what do you think about this new enrollment data? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.