COVID-19 inspiring large increase in nursing school applications | Local News

ASHTABULA — Nurses are at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is impossible to turn on the television or view any media regarding COVID-19 without seeing a nurse, said Julie Senita, a registered nurse and senior program director of nursing and allied health at Kent State University Ashtabula.

“Many students have expressed great interest in helping during this very trying time and have pursued nursing as a career,” she said. “I would say that applications for our traditional associate degree registered nurse program have remained steady, but recently have seen an uptick in applications since mid-March.”

The past year has been an all-hands-on-deck battle for health care workers. Senita’s students are a small part of a larger trend in nursing and medicine education: schools across Ohio have seen an increase in applications since the pandemic began, according to the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio.

In Ohio State University’s bachelor’s nursing program, there has been an increase in applications, rising about 29 percent over the prior year, said Cindy Anderson, associate dean for academic affairs at Ohio State’s College of Nursing. 

“Our general interpretation is related to the high profile coverage of the nurses during the pandemic,” she said. “The role of the nurse as an essential and critical member and leader of the healthcare team has translated into increased awareness and interest based on the number of applications we have received this year.”

While OSU’s applications totaled 500, the university has a limited capacity and admit a total of 166 students each year. The limitations are due to the available clinical placements.

“While some institutions also have faculty shortages, we are fortunate to have a full complement of nurse faculty,” Anderson said.

Two areas that have seen a significant increase at KSU Ashtabula is the number of licensed practical nurses and paramedics who have applied to our advanced standing transition program to become registered nurses.

“Both of those cohorts have doubled in size this summer,” Senita said. “We are very proud to offer these options for current healthcare providers who wish to advance their careers and become registered nurses in three semesters.”

With the shortage in nursing right now, these additions will be very welcomed in the local health care organizations.

Currently KSU Ashtabula has more than 120 students working towards their associate degree in nursing. Once graduated, they will be able to take their licensure exam to become a registered nurse.

“Taking coursework and training to become a nurse during the pandemic has not been easy,” Senita said.

“Much of the coursework was forced to be delivered in a remote format and some clinical facilities were not able to allow students in their facilities to complete clinical training. We are looking forward to continued improvement of the current COVID situation and plan to return to in person classes and face-to-face learning in the fall.”