Enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased for the ninth straight year in 2009, climbing 3.5%, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported yesterday. At least 39,423 qualified applications were turned away due to faculty and resource constraints, continuing the trend in recent years. Based on preliminary data from the association's annual nursing school survey, enrollment in master's programs rose 9.6% and doctoral programs 20.5%. Donna Herrin-Griffith, president of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, said, "As health care reform efforts continue and pressures to expand primary, preventative and transitional care increase, it is critical that talented individuals who want to pursue nursing in both entry and advanced practice levels have the opportunity to access a quality education. With AONE's focus on the nursing workforce and care models for current and future delivery systems, the AACN report of increased enrollments is certainly good news." AONE is an AHA subsidiary.