Online nursing programs could prove to be just what the doctor ordered as the medical profession attempts to address the accelerating shortage of nurses. eLearners.com, an online web resource, now indicates that nursing-based programs are the second most searched item on the site (trailing only business options).

While the growth in demand for online nursing programs has been expected, the number of prospective nursing students searching out such an option has been surprising. Terrence Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer for eLearners.com, indicates that an even larger number of students than what was expected are turning to online education to further their nursing career prospects.

As with the business sector, the healthcare industry is experiencing the challenges of the retirement of numerous baby boomers. Those ongoing retirements combined with the added care needed for an aging society means that the U.S. will be short by about half-million nurses by 2025.

In March 2008, The Council on Physician and Nurse Supply reported that to meet U.S. healthcare needs the number of nurses currently graduating every year must increase by 30%.