The cost of doing business in nursing education

The production cost of delivering education to health profession students, with a special emphasis on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, is explored using a revenue-based approach. In spite of the national concern regarding the nursing shortage, there are surprisingly minimal data in the literature specific to analyzing the per nursing student cost that would be necessary to plan enrollment expansion. Models of cost analysis and findings for other health professions are discussed. Cost studies for baccalaureate nursing studies in the past are summarized. Existing data sets for nursing to consider using for the secondary purpose of evaluating per student/per year costs are available. The importance of understanding revenue generation is underscored, and an example is given for one school. Finally, costs of education are reframed as an economic investment with multiple benefits. In conclusion, recommendations are made to address the gap in information on costs to educate nursing students.