With the healthcare industry continuing to grow rapidly in the United States and nurses serving as such an integral touchstone within medicine, we decided to sit down with our Director of Nursing Lieutenant Commander Akeeka S. Davis (MSN-Ed, MBA, AMB-BC) to talk about the future of nursing and how Casa Loma College is growing nursing education.

On the Current State of Nursing

“Right now, we’re in a critical nursing shortage that we’re facing, not just in this country, but worldwide,” says Davis. “Students are also deeply invested in their career trajectories post-graduation. There is a desire for clarity on job prospects, especially in specialized fields, and guidance on how to navigate the job market. Questions about transitioning into advanced practice roles, leadership positions, or academia are frequent, highlighting the need for mentorship and career services.”

From the American Association of Colleges of Nursing:

According to a Health Workforce Analysis published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in November 2022, federal authorities project a shortage of 78,610 full-time RNs in 2025 and a shortage of 63,720 full-time RNs in 2030. 

On top of that, there are concerns about mental health and wellbeing and the impact of stress and burnout on current and future nurses. A 2023 report from the CDC found that, in 2022, 46% of health workers reported feeling burned out often or very often, up from 32% in 2018. There is a growing need to address these issues by providing greater support and more resources.

On Davis’s Hopes for Nursing’s Future

“My hopes for the future of nursing are deeply rooted in a vision of holistic transformation that empowers both the profession and the communities we serve,” says Davis. “I believe that investing in our students is investing in the future of healthcare. By enhancing educational resources, we can ensure that nursing students are well-prepared to meet the complexities of modern healthcare.”

Building that bridge — from the classroom to the career — is a pivotal part of readying the next generation of nurses.

“Facilitating a smooth transition to practice is essential,” Davis says. “Implementing residency programs, offering extended clinical orientations, and providing ongoing professional development opportunities can bridge the gap between education and real-world practice. This support helps new nurses build confidence, refine clinical skills, and integrate effectively into healthcare teams, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and job satisfaction.

Another cornerstone of Davis’s vision is addressing health disparities and promoting equity in the healthcare system.

“By fostering diversity within the nursing workforce and embedding cultural competence into education and practice, we can better serve our diverse communities and advocate for social justice in health,” says Davis. “This includes a commitment to serving underserved populations and working tirelessly to reduce health inequities.”

The potential mental health crisis facing nurses in general is also a key part of Davis’s hopes for the future of nursing and nursing education.

“Enhancing the well-being and resilience of nurses is paramount,” Davis says. “I hope for systems that prioritize mental health support, professional development, and environments where nurses can thrive both professionally and personally. Addressing workplace challenges that lead to burnout and implementing strategies to promote work-life balance are essential for sustaining a healthy workforce.”

On the Casa Loma College Difference

At Casa Loma’s School of Nursing, our goal has always been to provide real, practical education for the next generation of nurses, and that’s why we’re excited about the leadership and vision Lieutenant Commander Davis is bringing to our program.

“There is a plethora of nursing schools in the Nashville area,” says Davis, “but when I think about Casa Loma and what I’m bringing there, one thing is the fact that I’m an NCLEX-RN prep expert.”

The NCLEX-RN exam, the nationwide exam for the licensing of nurses in the U.S., Australia and Canada, is the pivotal moment in a nurse’s education and career. Passing the NCLEX, sometimes simply called “boards,” is necessary in order to receive a nursing license and be cleared to work as a registered nurse. And while any nursing program can qualify you to sit for the exam, not all of them ready you in the same way.

“The NCLEX-RN is the same exam, no matter what school you come from,” says Davis.  “Coming here, they’re going to be supported. I’m a thirty-one-year military veteran, and I have dedicated my life to working with nursing students who struggle academically. I’ve not worked with a student yet so I am unable to get to pass the NCLEX-RN boards. So, we’ll make you a very good student, give you a good education, and ensure that you are ready and well-equipped to go in and take that NCLEX exam. I personally teach an in-depth, three-credit-hour NCLEX success workshop, and that’s something not even many universities have.”

At Casa Loma College, our Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) program has no waitlist and can be completed in just 80 weeks for full-time students.

“We’re having them achieve in two years what other institutions take four years to do,” Davis says. “So that’s an attractive point, especially in the current economy, that they’re able to go out and make a living in two years.”

For Davis, another key feature at Casa Loma’s AASN program is its cutting-edge use of tech in our training.

“I ran the biggest simulation lab in the country for the United States Navy, working with both high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulators,” says Davis. “They’ll be in a simulation lab a lot, and we’re going to maximize on that due to the clinical placement. I’ll be in our simulation lab with you, and I’m going to mimic the [NCLEX] test. We’re going to have an in-class lab so the students will get used to what that feels like. That way, when they get to their boards, it’s not as daunting.”

The goal is to reduce anxiety, both for taking boards and stepping into the workplace, by tackling the concerns of our students head-on and focusing on tactile, practical skills that they really need.

“We’re coming to it not with money in mind, but quality,” Davis says. “Quality of education, quality of support, quality of dedication to bring you through to the finish line.”

And that, more than anything else, is the Casa Loma College difference.

Written By Rebecca Gutzmann