As the nursing workforce crisis continues to challenge healthcare systems nationwide, with recent reports showing thousands of unfilled nursing positions and high burnout rates, efforts to address staffing shortages may fall short without a stronger focus on nursing education.
For Sheldon D. Fields, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, AACRN, FNAP, FAANP, FADLN, FAAN, president of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), the solution begins in education. He believes expanding faculty capacity and strengthening training pathways are essential to building a sustainable workforce.
“The future of nursing is tied to education,” he said.
During an interview at the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations 2026 Annual Health Policy Summit, Fields outlined how structural challenges continue to limit the number of nurses entering the profession.
A Bottleneck in the Pipeline
Nursing programs across the country face capacity limits that prevent them from accepting all qualified applicants; in recent years, thousands of prospective nursing students have been turned away due to these constraints.
Faculty shortages, limited clinical placements, and resource constraints have created a bottleneck in the education pipeline; for example, some reports indicate a national faculty vacancy rate of more than 7%.
Fields said these barriers directly affect growth, making it critical to address them for any meaningful change.
Without addressing them now, we must commit to urgent, coordinated action so efforts to expand the nursing workforce can keep pace with demand.
The Faculty Shortage Challenge
A key constraint is the shortage of nurse educators.
Fields emphasized that preparing future nurses depends on investing in faculty development and support.
Without enough educators, programs cannot expand to meet demand, regardless of applicant interest.
This limitation reduces the number of new nurses entering the workforce each year.
Preparing Nurses for a Changing Healthcare System
Fields also highlighted the need for education that reflects the complexity of modern healthcare.
Nurses must be prepared to manage evolving patient needs, new technologies, and changing care models.
Education programs play a critical role in developing clinical judgment, leadership skills, and adaptability.
This preparation is the foundation for ensuring nurses can effectively meet both current and future healthcare demands.
Expanding Access to Nursing Careers
Fields pointed to the importance of creating more accessible pathways into nursing, particularly for students from underrepresented communities.
Expanding access strengthens the workforce and ensures it reflects those it serves.
It also brings a broader range of perspectives into patient care.
Addressing access requires coordination across education systems, policy efforts, and community engagement.
A Long-Term Workforce Strategy
While many workforce solutions focus on immediate needs, Fields emphasized the importance of long-term planning.
Strengthening nursing education requires sustained investment, and all stakeholders must act together to create lasting change.
While not an immediate fix, investing in nursing education is the most decisive step toward building a stable, resilient workforce.
A Defining Moment for the Profession
As healthcare leaders respond to ongoing workforce challenges, Fields’ message underscores a critical point.
The future of nursing depends on today’s education and access decisions.
Unless nursing education is strengthened, the workforce crisis will persist.
“The future of nursing is tied to education, and we must invest in it now,” he said.
