KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In Kansas, Missouri and across the country, the demand for healthcare services is growing rapidly. The demand is especially high for nurses.
The country is currently facing a nursing shortage as more nurses retire and the baby boomer generation gets older.
Consequently, much of the responsibility is falling on college nursing programs.
"Not only is it continuing but it is growing," said Dr. Sally Maliski, the University of Kansas' School of Nursing dean.
The University of Kansas' School of Nursing has been looking for a cure to this shortage.
One solution the school implemented is teaming up with seven community colleges in the state, to allow students to earn their associates' degree while working towards their bachelor of science in nursing.
"It helps us," said Dr. Sally Maliski, the School of Nursing dean. "We are in education restricted by a number of factors. The ability to find clinic placement sites for our students and the supply of clinic placement sites."
Another factor, which is aggravating the nursing shortage is a shortage of nursing faculty.
With fewer professors, schools like KU's School of Nursing can only teach a limited number of students.
"It's critical," said Maliski. "The shortage is going to decrease quality of care and decrease availability of care."
