Nursing Shortage Spurs Demand for UC College of Nursing Graduates

UC expands nursing education programs to meet growing healthcare needs

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:52pm

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The UC College of Nursing is working to address a nationwide nursing shortage by expanding its education programs and pipeline. With a near 100% placement rate for graduates, UC is helping to meet the growing demand for nurses, especially as the population ages and healthcare needs increase.

Why it matters

The nursing shortage is a critical issue facing the healthcare industry, with an aging population and increased demand for services. UC's efforts to expand nursing education and produce more qualified graduates can help alleviate the shortage and ensure patients have access to the care they need.

The details

UC College of Nursing has received over $193,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Board of Nursing to expand its 'UC N.E.X.T: Nursing Education Expansion through Experiential Training' program. The college is also working closely with healthcare providers in the Greater Cincinnati area, such as TriHealth, to connect graduates with open nursing positions at all experience levels.

  • UC College of Nursing received the $193,000 grant in 2026.
  • TriHealth recently held a hiring blitz to fill nursing positions at its facilities.

The players

Dr. Donna Green

Associate dean of undergraduate and prelicensure programs at UC College of Nursing.

Dr. Lindsay Davis

Assistant dean of APRN Curriculum at UC College of Nursing.

Thomas Snyder

UC nursing student enrolled in an 18-month accelerated Master's of Nursing program, former Army flight critical care paramedic.

UC College of Nursing

A college within the University of Cincinnati that provides nursing education and training.

TriHealth

A healthcare system in the Greater Cincinnati area that is looking to hire nurses at all experience levels.

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What they’re saying

“The pandemic just kind of heightened what we already have projected, which was the increasing in retirement of the nurses in the workforce.”

— Dr. Donna Green, Associate dean of undergraduate and prelicensure programs at UC College of Nursing

“I think one of the most important things is that the new graduates understand that there are options out there, they can really find where they feel that they fit best.”

— Dr. Lindsay Davis, Assistant dean of APRN Curriculum at UC College of Nursing

“I've flown with nurses for 17 years now, and my mother was a nurse, my grandmother was a nurse for 45 years, so it was either that or construction.”

— Thomas Snyder, UC nursing student

What’s next

UC College of Nursing plans to continue expanding its nursing education programs and partnerships with healthcare providers to meet the growing demand for nurses in the region.

The takeaway

UC's efforts to address the nursing shortage by producing more qualified graduates and connecting them with open positions at healthcare facilities in the Greater Cincinnati area demonstrate the university's commitment to supporting the local community and ensuring access to quality healthcare.