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HealthWorks Commission reports enrollment gains for advanced nursing but warns continued shortages and recommends targeted actions
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Summary
The HealthWorks Commission and Nursing Supply & Demand Council reported increases in APRN and RN enrollments and licenses, but staff flagged continuing job openings and recommended six actions including stipend programs, academic-practice partnerships, and faculty salary comparisons.
Board staff presented the HealthWorks Commission’s 2024 report and the Nursing Supply & Demand Council’s findings to the Planning, Research and Performance Committee, reviewing workforce trends and recommended policy actions.
Highlights included a 9% increase (2020–2023) in active advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensees to about 9,670 and a reported 34% increase in APRN program enrollment. Registered nurse (RN) supply was reported at about 66,594 (a 10% increase), with roughly 22,953 job openings cited from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) supply rose to about 22,065 (4% increase), and the CNA registry data and turnover rates were discussed; staff reported Louisiana’s turnover rate compared favorably with national figures in certain metrics.
The HealthWorks Commission proposed six priority recommendations for 2025: 1) create a stipend program to encourage LPNs and other practitioners to become faculty (potentially funded through HERO or other sources), 2) study program prerequisites and transferability to ease student mobility, 3) advance academic-practice partnerships and seek Department of Health advocacy for funding, 4) continue grants and tuition-reduction support targeted at underrepresented nursing students, 5) provide capitation funds to expand RN and LPN program capacity, and 6) compare nurse-faculty salaries to national market data and recommend steps to close gaps.
Staff and committee members discussed supply metrics, regional demand, and strategies to recruit and retain faculty. The presentation was informational; the committee did not adopt binding policy but supported continued pursuit of the recommended actions and coordination with state agencies.
