TUSCALOOSA, AL – As Alabama confronts a projected shortage of 14,000 nurses by next year, the University of Alabama System is taking action to expand nursing education, prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals, and bolster one of the state’s most comprehensive nursing workforce pipelines.
According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, approximately 39,000 nurses indicated plans to retire by 2027, creating an urgent need to expand the healthcare workforce. The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the UAB Health System are meeting that challenge by expanding enrollment, accelerating pathways to practice, increasing access to clinical learning opportunities and advancing research that strengthens patient care across the state.
“One of the greatest advantages of the University of Alabama System is the ability to bring together distinct strengths in pursuit of a common goal,” said UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant. “By leveraging the expertise and resources of our universities and health system, we can address challenges that matter to Alabamians, expand opportunity and help shape the future of healthcare across our state.”
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
The UAB School of Nursing is preparing more nurses than any university in the state while advancing healthcare innovation, research and patient care. Home to the state’s top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the nation’s No. 13 program, according to U.S. News & World Report, UAB enrolls more than 3,000 nursing and pre-nursing students annually. The school graduates more than 1,000 nurses each year, with most staying in Alabama after graduation.
Since 2016, more than one in four nursing graduates in Alabama have earned their degrees from the UAB School of Nursing. Demand for those graduates remains high, with the Alabama Hospital Association reporting an approximately 20% nursing vacancy rate in hospitals statewide.
To help meet workforce needs, UAB launched a year-round Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that creates additional pathways for students to graduate and enter practice on an accelerated timeline. This summer, the school welcomed its inaugural summer cohort of 72 students as part of its effort to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary last year, the UAB School of Nursing worked with generous donors to complete a scholarship drive that funded 80 scholarships worth more than $3.7 million.
The UAB School of Nursing’s proximity to Birmingham’s medical community gives students expanded access to clinical training opportunities, including through a longstanding partnership with the UAB Health System. The University of Alabama School of Nursing will also partner with the UAB Health System through a similar model to strengthen the health care workforce in communities across the state.
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is making one of the largest investments in nursing education in its history, with plans to double enrollment in the Capstone College of Nursing and graduate more than 550 nurses annually through its on-campus programs.
Under the expansion plan, the Capstone College of Nursing will grow to a total enrollment of 3,436 by 2030. When complete, this strategic growth initiative will position UA as one of the nation’s largest nursing programs.
To support growth while maintaining student success, UA will add new faculty positions, expand simulation and clinical training facilities, and increase clinical partnerships across the state. Physical expansion includes renovating more than 31,000 square feet of existing space and adding 50,100 square feet for classrooms, research, advanced simulation labs, offices and student support services.
A $1.5 million investment from the Bedford Falls Foundation-Donor Advised Fund will support approximately 60 scholarships annually for in-state nursing students. This gift will help reduce financial barriers to earning a nursing degree and support student success initiatives tied to UA’s enrollment expansion.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is strengthening the connection between nursing education and clinical practice through academic programs and community-based learning experiences.
Beginning this fall, the UAH College of Nursing will launch a redesigned Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum that closely aligns classroom instruction with real-world clinical application. The four-semester program creates a more integrated learning experience, helping students build knowledge and apply it in practice while offering a more streamlined and affordable path to a nursing degree. UAH will also continue offering its accelerated three-semester BSN program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking an expedited route into the profession.
Beyond the classroom, UAH is expanding access to care while giving nursing students hands-on clinical practice. Launched in 2025, the university’s Neighborhood Nursing initiative brings preventive care, health screenings, education and referrals directly to rural communities across North Alabama. In its first months, the program served more than 500 residents across five communities and is expanding into additional counties. UAH nursing students provide services under faculty supervision as part of their clinical education, gaining experience while helping address barriers to care.
A Statewide Commitment to Nursing Education and Care
By combining expanded enrollment, accelerated degree pathways, scholarships, advanced clinical training, and community partnerships, UA System institutions are strengthening every stage of Alabama’s nursing workforce pipeline and preparing more nurses to serve Alabama’s communities.
About the University of Alabama System
Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the University of Alabama System includes three doctoral research institutions – UA, UAB, and UAH – and the world-class UAB Health System. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. Its hospitals and clinics care for millions of patients annually and serve people in every county of Alabama. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the University of Alabama System exceeds $18 billion a year.