The American Nurses Association's prediction that up to 40 percent of the nursing workforce will retire after 2010 is forcing the UNM College of Nursing to seek additional legislative funding to increase enrollment.
After the 2001 state legislative session, the College of Nursing was given $950,000 to expand enrollment and increase salaries for the UNM Hospital faculty and interns.
"The Legislature has recognized the shortage and has given us a substantial amount in spite of the tight budget," McKinney said.
The funding came from the Legislature's Nursing Expansion Program. UNM will be receiving approximately $475,000 in 2003.
The College of Nursing currently has about 120 undergraduate students and 110 in the master's degree program, as opposed to the 56 undergraduate students from fall of 2001.
Summer courses were added to the curriculum and students outside Albuquerque can receive a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing through Internet courses.
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Demands for mandatory overtime practices in many hospitals add another challenge for aspiring nurses, making the job less attractive and harder to recruit for.
Dottie Guenther, UNM Nursing Skills Lab supervisor, helps interview new nursing faculty for the college.
"Whether or not we'll get enough nursing faculty depends on the shortages across the country," Guenther said. "Luckily, New Mexico is an attraction because of the weather."
Dan McKinney, College of Nursing academic administrator, says New Mexico's weather isn't the only thing that brings nurses and students to UNM Hospital.
"The dean makes a commitment to funding research, which brings people to the college," McKinney said.
Kevin Gutierrez, an undergraduate nursing student, said he is looking forward to becoming involved in the health community.
"I've always wanted to be a nurse because they are more close to the patients," Gutierrez said. "The long hours are part of the job, but if I can make the quality of life better for one person, it's worth it."
Gutierrez, like his colleagues, will have the opportunity to work in the Nurse Residency Program after he graduates. This will give him work in different areas of the UNM Hospital while receiving financial aid toward a higher degree.
This program is another attempt by the School of Nursing to encourage students to work as they are mentored.
According to the American Nurses Association, approximately 2.6 million nurses are registered in the nation.
Government predictions indicate a need for an additional 450,000 by 2007.
Sandra Ferketich, the College of Nursing's dean, was not available for comment.
