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.