HJAR Sep/Oct 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  SEP / OCT 2023 15 requests. We do not currently know if requests are significantly increased in some months, days of the week, or times of the day or if placement issues are clustered or varied in certain regions of the state. Sharing this type of data may help academic prac- tice partners to improve clinical placement decision making and to more efficiently use existing resources. Once this is successfully piloted with nursing, the state may consider expanding services to other healthcare pro- fessions requiring practicum experiences as part of their graduation requirements. Act 674 can be found here: https://www. arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=SB302 Act 672: Earn-to-Learn — Passed Problem In the 2021-2022 academic year, 91,938 applicants were rejected from Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduate level nurs- ing programs nationally. 2 In 2022, Arkan- sas nursing education programs had more available seats than applicants for the first time in history. 31 There are multiple factors involved in these outcomes. First, COVID- 19 restrictions caused major disruptions in 98% of Arkansas nursing programs, result- ing in increased barriers for students to earn clinical education credit. 31 Second, the use of high-quality simulation has become common place to augment student clinical experiences across the country. However, amongArkansas’63 prelicensure programs, only five programs had all the components necessary to operate a simulation center for the highest degree of impact (Figure 4). These include simulation-certified faculty, adequate funding, high-fidelity technology, and lab space. 31 Third, students are dealing with the highest consumer price increases in over 40 years. 34 Inflation places increased pressure on students to earn money in school for rising food, transportation, hous- ing, and educational costs while maintaining