The United States nursing shortage is one of the most talked about issues in healthcare. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be a full-time registered nurse shortage of 63,720 nurses by the year 2030. With the growing need for nurses, schools are working hard to recruit potential students to meet this need. Prospective students may meet with a variety of schools prior to committing and placing their deposit. Involving the entire campus community helps identify and recruit prospective students. Key members in the recruitment process are nursing faculty.
Why faculty engagement matters
Faculty members are tasked with many roles and responsibilities. Previously, they primarily focused on classroom preparation, content delivery, and evaluation of student learning outcomes. Now, faculty members also must serve as ambassadors of their program and step into the role of nurse recruitment.
Faculty members are key players and frequently are the first point of contact for prospective students. As a faculty member, you can become involved in recruiting in a variety of ways.
Community outreach. Attend community outreach events such as open houses, weekend visits, campus tours, and high school visits. Students want to have hands-on learning and get a feel for what the program has to offer. They’re looking for engaging activities. Strategies to involve students include escape rooms, nursing Olympics, and simulations. Immersing prospective students into the nurse role allows them to gain a realistic perspective of nursing, and what to expect if they choose the program.
Individual meetings. Meeting with a prospective student and their family one on one offers a great opportunity to speak about the program, answer questions, and clarify misconceptions. You want to be approachable, friendly, and genuinely interested in the meeting; don’t view the prospective students as “just another number.” Provide them with individual attention so they feel supported and seen. Key areas for discussion include:
- Mission and vision of the institution
- NCLEX pass rates
- Job placement rates
- Class sizes
- Study abroad opportunities
- Clinical site locations
- Clinical hour requirements
- Clinical start dates
- Athletic opportunities
- Faculty support
- Campus activities
- Peer tutoring
Highlight alumni. One of the easiest and most influential ways to highlight career opportunities is to speak about your alumni. Sharing past students’ success stories, job placements, and career options provides prospective students and their families with tangible program outcomes. Speaking about alumni in a positive manner demonstrates a genuine sense of pride in previous students and a strong sense of caring.
Nursing classroom preview. Providing prospective students with the opportunity to be a student nurse for the day offers them a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Students can tour simulation labs, attend lectures, and walk through the halls with current students.
Peer connections. Prospective students have an easier time relating and speaking to peers. If a current student is available, have them spend a few minutes talking about their experience. Prospective students can ask questions about day-to-day activities and gain the prospective of a current nursing student.
Follow-up. Prospective students and families receive a lot of information in a short period of time during their visit, so follow up with them as soon as possible. A letter the following week that recaps information discussed during the meeting as well as commenting on a fact you learned about the student during your meeting creates a more personal touch.
Connecting through technology. Faculty members should have an online presence such as on the program’s website as well as on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc). Share activities that current students are involved in, faculty involvement, and program activities to showcase the program’s supportive learning environment.
Using these strategies can help you provide prospective students with the support and guidance they need while they’re exploring nursing programs. Faculty members can influence a prospective student’s decision and begin the faculty relationship from an early start. These strategies also may help reduce the nursing shortage as well as increase program enrollment.
Jessica Gregg, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA.
Reference
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses. 2025. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
