The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania predicts that a statewide shortage of more than 20,000 nurses will occur by 2026. The predicted deficit is one of the largest in the United States, and experts believe a variety of factors to play a role in the current state of the workforce. In an effort to address both the imminent shortage and several obstacles encountered by local nursing students, Millersville University has teamed up with HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College to introduce a new enrollment program.

On June 12, Millersville University president Daniel Wubah and HACC president John Sygielski attended a signing to officially launch the two schools' partnership, which entails a new concurrent enrollment program for students pursuing a career in nursing. Through the program, students may take one course per term at Millersville University as they earn their registered nursing degree at HACC. The program will be offered to students who attend classes at any of HACC's five locations in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York.

"The signing was really an opportunity to bring the presidents and faculty members of both institutions together to formalize the relationship. We work very closely together," said Kelly Kuhns, who is the chair of Millersville University's nursing department.

By allowing students to kick-start their education at Millersville while attending HACC, the concurrent enrollment program will enable aspiring nurses to earn their bachelor's degrees more quickly and join the workforce. Concurrent education students will be expected to complete their degree within 15 months after graduating from HACC. Some students may finish their education in as few as six months.

Kuhns began working on the new program after seeing many students struggle to receive financial aid when registering for nursing classes. Many nurses come to the profession later in life after they have completed many of the program's prerequisites. Due to federal guidelines, students can only receive financial aid for courses required by their majors, and Millersville University applicants would often fall short of a few credits that would complete their education.

Although nursing shortages occur cyclically, Pennsylvania is currently experiencing a shortage that is more severe than normal. "We have a huge influx of baby boomers in the health care system and a decrease on the supply side that are converging," Kuhns said. "(The COVID-19 pandemic) also hit nurses really hard. The number one reason people enter the profession is family encouragement, and it can be tough to encourage someone to become a nurse after seeing how difficult the last few years have been."

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/MUHACCnurses.