ECPI University brief finds misalignment between education systems and workforce needs that leaves more than 17,000 registered nurse roles unfilled across the Commonwealth

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (July 1, 2026) — A new workforce brief commissioned by ECPI University, an innovative Virginia-based training provider and one of the Commonwealth's largest producers of nursing and allied health credentials, finds that Virginia faces a severe and growing shortage of nursing and healthcare professionals, with more than 17,000 registered nurse positions currently unfilled statewide. The brief, Closing Virginia's Skills Gaps in Nursing & Health Care, identifies a misalignment between education and training options available to students, and the demands of its largest employment sector.

"Virginia has no shortage of talented, motivated people who want careers in healthcare," said Mark Dreyfus, president of ECPI University. "The problem is a system that wasn't built for the students who actually need it most — working adults, parents, veterans, and career changers who can't press pause on their lives for years at a time. Closing Virginia's healthcare workforce gap and maintaining world-class quality of patient care and access demands that we deliver models aligned with the needs of these learners."

Despite ranking among the top states in the nation for educational attainment, Virginia has only about 76 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Healthcare and social services represent 13% of all jobs in the Commonwealth, and nearly 44% of Virginia neighborhoods lack sufficient access to primary care doctors, leaving an estimated 3.8 million residents underserved.

According to the brief, Virginia's nursing shortage reflects not only a shortage of supply but also a lack of programs aligned with the complex schedules and needs of working adults. The typical nursing student today looks very different from the traditional college-age learner. Nationally, the average age of a registered nurse is approximately 42, and a significant share of nursing students are over 25. Nationally, the average nursing student is in their late 30s to early 40s, and roughly one in five nursing students is raising children.

For non-traditional nursing and healthcare students, fixed semester calendars, extended program timelines, and rigid scheduling create significant barriers to entry and completion. Many cannot afford to leave the workforce for extended periods or restructure their lives around programs that were not designed with them in mind. Nearly 36% of ECPI's student body is enrolled in nursing programs, with an average student age of 30. Approximately 40% have a military affiliation, and 56% are Pell Grant recipients.

ECPI's year-round academic calendar and five-week enrollment cycles allow students to complete credentials on an accelerated timeline. Practical nursing diplomas can be earned in as little as 15 months, associate degrees in nursing in 1.5 years, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2.5 years. The university's hands-on, skills-based curriculum is developed in partnership with major regional health systems including HCA Virginia, Sentara Health, and Bon Secours.

Nationally, ECPI ranks among the top 10 producers of undergraduate nursing graduates, second in practical nursing graduates, and first in African American practical nursing graduates. Its graduates enter the workforce with strong earning potential: BSN graduates earn an average of $91,092, ADN graduates earn $83,414, and practical nursing graduates earn $55,339.

The brief urges state policymakers, workforce agencies, and healthcare employers to accelerate partnerships with career-focused institutions that serve nontraditional learners, streamline credential pathways, and align funding and policy incentives with outcomes rather than seat time.

The full brief is available at https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2026-07/ecpi_NursingWorkforce_v7.pdf.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. June 18, 2026), ECPI University has earned the Military Spouse Friendly Schools® Gold designation for the 2026-2027 academic year in Military Friendly®’s annual national ratings.

The Military Spouse Friendly Schools® designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate a commitment to serving military spouses through academic support, career planning resources, flexibility, military family support, campus resources, federal approvals, and student outcomes.

For ECPI University, the recognition points to a model built for military families whose lives are shaped by deployment cycles, relocation timelines, childcare responsibilities, and career transitions. ECPI University’s year-round, accelerated format allows students to make steady progress without waiting for a traditional academic calendar.

For some military spouses, that can mean using the length of a deployment to complete a credential, advance toward a degree, or prepare for a more portable career before the next transition.

“Military spouses often measure time differently because military life moves in cycles,” said Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education at ECPI University and a retired U.S. Army officer. “A deployment, a PCS move, or a career pause can become a turning point. ECPI University’s accelerated model gives spouses a way to use that time with purpose and build toward a career that can move with them.”

Military-connected learners represent a significant share of ECPI University’s student population, with more than 3,500 veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses enrolled across its 18 campuses and through online programs. This population accounts for over 30% of total enrollment, reaching as high as 60% at the Virginia Beach campus.

ECPI University supports military spouses through on-campus, online, and hybrid programs in technology, health science, business, criminal justice, culinary arts, and engineering technology. Students also receive guidance on education benefits and funding options, including transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, CH 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance, the Fry Scholarship, Yellow Ribbon Program participation, and the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Scholarship, commonly known as MyCAA. ECPI University also offers an Active Duty Military Scholarship for eligible service members and spouses enrolled in qualifying online programs.

The Gold designation builds on ECPI University’s record of national recognition for serving military-connected students. In March, ECPI University was named a Top 10 Military Friendly® School in the Non-Traditional / Online Only / Vocational category. The university has also earned recognition from U.S. Veterans Magazine as a Veteran Friendly institution, Military Times: Best for Vets, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Award program.

To learn more about ECPI University’s support for military spouses and military-connected students, visit ecpi.edu/military/military-spouse.