Like most nursing programs across the nation, N.C. Central University's department of nursing is facing a crisis – there are not enough nursing teachers to go around.

This spring, more than 200 juniors and seniors applied to the program, but only 40 will be admitted.

“It's most unfortunate, but it happens all over,” said Fannie July, interim chair of the nursing department. “We’re doing the best with what we have.” Only juniors and seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher can apply to the program. The North Carolina Board of Nursing has set a cap at 125 students for NCCU’s nursing program, based on faculty and program size. Students can only apply in the spring.

Nationally, over 25,000 nursing applications have been denied due to university faculty and resource constraints, according to a study from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The U.S. is likely to have a shortage of 800,000 nurses by 2020, the study reports.

According to July, the nursing faculty shortage is linked to teachers joining the faculty close to retirement. The average age of the nursing faculty is between 50 and 52.

July said the shortage also is related to the requirements for becoming an instructor. NCCU requires that all nursing faculty have a Ph.D., while the minimum requirement to teach is a master’s degree. She also said with increased funds the department would be able to assist potential faculty with sabbaticals and scholarships to help them earn a Ph.D.

Some students say that the teacher shortage causes them to graduate late, change their majors or transfer to other schools. Other students say the teacher shortage affects the quality of the program.

“The program is unorganized,” said junior Brittany Rueben, a former nursing student who has changed her major to health education. “[The program] is not sincere when it comes to the well-being of the students.”

NCCU’s nursing department is accredited by the National League of Nursing. NCCU is one of few HBCUs with a nursing program.

“The program has a lot of potential,” said Marion Gooding, a 17-year health education professor at NCCU. “All it needs is a stable faculty that is committed to teaching minorities.”

July hopes students will stay patient.

“NCCU’s nursing department is alive and well,” said July. “We’re accredited and will remain accredited. We’re working with our small staff.”