The demand for qualified nurses in the U.S. is on the rise, a trend that has a New Hampshire-based college advocating for a new nursing program.

The Keene Equinox recently reported that college officials are putting pressure on lawmakers to expedite the creation of a new nursing degree program. The news source states that there is currently only one college in New Hampshire that offers a bachelor's degree in this field.

According to a report released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the number of licensed nurses in the U.S. increased by 5 percent over a four-year span.

"The growth in the numbers and diversity of registered nurses is a positive sign of moving in the right direction," HRSA Administrator and nurse Dr Mary K. Wakefield said.

The HRSA also revealed that the shortage of nursing faculty in the U.S. will grow significantly in the near future because 60 percent of current nurses are 50 years of age or older.

Aspiring professionals in this field may consider enrolling in online college courses to earn a general nursing degree.