An Educational Model to Build the Future Nursing Workforce

Abstract

The current nursing shortage is one of the most significant challenges facing health care organizations in the United States today. Policy makers suggest that this shortage will be longer and more protracted than previous shortages. Therefore, schools of nursing must develop innovative strategies to attract young people into the profession and retain them. This article describes efforts by the University of Maryland School of Nursing to address the nursing shortage by developing a partnership with the local school system, the health care industry, and a local foundation to design and implement a pre- nursing career academy within a local school district. The authors believe that such partnerships are essential to attracting and preparing young people to enter into a professional career in nursing.

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