While the problem of a shrinking national workforce of nurses is being compounded by a drop in enrollments at nursing schools across the country, enrollment and retention in Penn State's program has not dropped dramatically.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported earlier this year that the growth of the nurse force has diminished and not kept pace with the growing U.S. population. According to the report, a nursing crunch could kick in by the year 2010.

Nursing schools are facing a similar crunch, with fewer students applying for the program.

Penn State School of Nursing Director Dr. Sarah Gueldner says the school is fortunate not to be as badly affected by the crunch as other places.

"Our problem is not having enough applicants," Gueldner said. "The problem is losing lots of the students in the first couple of years when they don't encounter nurses to other majors."

Penn State's School of Nursing held a panel discussion Monday night to brainstorm possible solutions to Pennsylvania's nursing shortage and discuss the role Penn State can play.

In attendance were 65 faculty and staff members and speakers from Hershey Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Center and other Penn State locations.

The panel focused on various ways of recruiting. Currently, the average age of nurses is 45 and some nurses are afraid the field will eventually die out. Gueldner said it is necessary to start recruiting at a younger age.

"We are planning to focus on fifth to ninth graders so they can start thinking about their career option," Gueldner said. "They already have their minds made up by their senior year of high school."

Gueldner also said the school is interested in making the transition to a nursing career smoother. Instead of having students repeat classes they have already taken to get a higher degree, the panel is considering looking at ways to ease the process.

Gueldner also suggested that the government provide incentives, such as tuition reimbursement or tax incentives, to encourage prospective students.

Diana Morris, associate professor of nursing, said the reorganization of the health care system contributed to the shortage.

"The downsizing of health systems created the impression there weren't nursing jobs out there and as a result we started recruiting fewer nurses," Morris said.

Morris also said nursing is still largely a female profession, despite the need for more men.

"One of the reasons for a decrease in enrollment is the many options women have today," Morris said. "Before, women just had the choice of either going into nursing or teaching."

Today nurses have many options, including working in a hospital, hospice or private clinics. Morris said it was important to teach students all the options the field holds and the truth about nursing. Nurses don't just do bed pans, Morris said.

Tiffany Hendel (junior-business management) said her friend, who is a nursing student, was almost discouraged from going into the field.

"Because of the stereotypes of nurses, especially male nurses, he almost changed his mind, but he stuck with it and loves what he does now," Hendel said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 450,000 additional registered nurses will be needed to fill hospital demand by 2008.