The Nursing Shortage Is Growing: Gateway Education Makes RN Prerequisites More Affordable

With a national shortage of registered nurses projected through 2038, Gateway Education is making general education and prerequisite courses more affordable and flexible for aspiring RNs.

GREENWOOD, Ind., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For someone who has dreamed of becoming a Registered Nurse, deciding to pursue that goal can be a big moment. For many students, the journey starts well before the first day of nursing school with the general education and prerequisite courses required for their program.

For students at different stages of life, finding an affordable and flexible way to complete those courses can play a big part in making the path to nursing feel realistic.

Gateway Education is working to make that part of the journey more affordable and flexible.

"When someone tells us they want to become a registered nurse, there is usually a reason behind it," said David Christy, President of Gateway Education. "Maybe they desire expanded opportunities in healthcare, a better future for their family. Maybe they had an experience with a friend or family member that made them want to become a nurse, or maybe becoming a nurse has always been their dream. We want students to see that getting started may be more affordable and a lot easier than they originally thought."

The need for more registered nurses gives that goal broader importance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 180,800 openings for registered nurses each year, on average, from 2025 through 2035. The Health Resources and Services Administration also projects a national shortage of registered nurses through 2038.

It is no secret that America needs more nurses. And the nursing shortage doesn't only affect people considering a career in healthcare. It affects patients, families and communities. Research has linked higher registered nurse staffing with better patient outcomes, including lower hospital mortality and fewer adverse events.

That is why creating more accessible ways for future nurses to begin their education matters. Gateway believes that making the first part of that journey more affordable and flexible can help more people see becoming a nurse as a realistic possibility. More people pursuing nursing today could mean a stronger nursing workforce caring for our families and communities in the years ahead.

Making the Path More Manageable

The majority of registered nursing programs require general education courses as part of their degree or admission requirements, even though specific requirements vary by school and program.

Depending on the nursing program, students may need courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, Nutrition, Developmental Psychology, Psychology, Statistics and English Composition. Gateway offers these and many other courses online, allowing students to complete them at their own pace.

Students work through courses at their own pace rather than following a traditional semester schedule, giving them more control over when and how quickly they complete their coursework.

Gateway courses are $79 each, with a $95 monthly membership. Students can complete more than one course while their membership is active, so those who move through courses more quickly can lower their average cost per credit.

"There are people who would make incredible nurses but may look at the time and cost involved and decide it isn't realistic for them," Christy said. "If we can make the beginning of that journey more manageable, more of those people take the next step. When the country needs registered nurses, that matters."

Just as important as getting started is knowing the courses will count. Gateway guarantees acceptance of its courses at partner colleges and universities. Students planning to attend a school outside Gateway's partner network should confirm that school's transfer requirements before enrolling.

Flexible Does Not Mean Less Rigorous

Students can complete a Gateway course at their own pace, but they still must do the work and demonstrate understanding of the material.

Gateway courses are ACE recommended for college credit and have been evaluated by independent faculty subject matter experts through the American Council on Education. The review considers course content, assessments, assignment rubrics, and examples of student work when determining the appropriate amount and level of recommended academic credit.

Students must complete the coursework, meet the learning outcomes, and complete mandatory assessments. The flexibility is in the pace, not the academic expectations.

About Gateway Education

Gateway Education provides affordable, flexible online college-level courses that help learners complete general education, prerequisite, and other eligible coursework on their path toward more than 500 degree options with Gateway partner institutions.

Courses are online and self-paced, with course materials, student support, and learning resources included in Gateway's membership model. Gateway courses are ACE recommended for college credit and have been evaluated through the American Council on Education's independent faculty review process.

To learn more, visit www.gatewayeducation.com.

SOURCE Gateway Education