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Maryland Nursing Overview

The current status of Maryland nursing is a severe nursing shortage that continues to grow worse. Medical facilities throughout the state are searching for qualified Registered Nurses (RNs). They need a minimum of 2,340 more nurses to fill open jobs, which is a 13 percent vacancy rate. The shortage is mainly due to an even larger shortage of nursing faculty. Maryland nursing programs have to deny admission to almost 2,000 qualified applicants a year, even though 1 out of 8 RN positions at medical facilities remain unfilled. The shortage and increased demand for RNs creates a lot of pressure for increased wages, benefits, and better working conditions. The nursing shortage compromises the quality of health care given to patients and can lead to detrimental consequences. Many RNs are also overworked and burnt out, which can also compromise quality of care.

Online colleges offering nursing programs in Maryland


The future nursing needs in Maryland are projected to increase greatly as the baby boomers grow older and have increased need for medical care. Nursing needs will also increase as many nurses retire within the next 10 years. The state predicts the Maryland nursing shortage to reach a 17 percent vacancy rate, more than 17,000 nurses by 2012 if no actions and efforts are taken to address the issue. The main issue that needs to be addressed is the nursing faculty shortage, which is the problem fueling the overall nursing shortage in the state of Maryland and around the country.

There are new initiatives in place to recruit more nursing students and faculty to help solve the nursing shortage in Maryland. The Governor of Maryland has allocated $3.4 million dollars to the University of Maryland School of Nursing to help battle the shortage. In 2007, the Governor allocated $5.93 million dollars to the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Nursing Support Program, to help increase nursing programs’ enrollment and create more Maryland nursing careers. The program is projected to increase enrollment in nursing programs by 2,613 students by year 2012. John Hopkins’ School of Nursing is also participating in efforts to promote students to pursue Maryland nursing careers. A new addition, costing approximately $42 million dollars is expected to open in 2010.

There are many nursing programs around the state of Maryland as well as online nursing programs. Online nursing programs enable nursing students to complete general and core courses online and are partnered with a practical clinical experience at a nearby medical facility.

Online Colleges Offering Nursing Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Accreditation  

Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation  

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU’s Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Accreditation  

Gonzaga University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges/Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges.

Campus Colleges Offering Nursing Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Accreditation  

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097) to award certificates and degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

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Nursing Salaries
Certified Nursing Assistant
$23,000
Registered Nursing
$53,000
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
$73,000
Licensed Practical Nurse
$40,000
 * Based on 5 years experience