A statewide nursing shortage treated with limited enrollment at MSU's College of Nursing can't make anyone feel better.

The projected 6.5 percent cut in higher education funding has forced MSU and other Michigan universities to make detrimental cutbacks and freezes in needed programs such as MSU's College of Nursing.

MSU's College of Nursing reports an 80 student-limit for the past few years while turning away 150 students this year.

Health care and other like educational programs are too important for the future of our nation. Programs should not be forced to cut or freeze their enrollment numbers because of a failing economy - especially since good health care is needed at such dire times like these.

For example, cutting funding from health care leads to registered nurse shortages, resulting in an overworked staff at medical centers, placing the quality of health care of patients nation-wide in risk.

This can lead to an increase in malpractice suits that results in higher insurance rates that ultimately fall directly into the pockets of the general public.

Fewer qualified workers produce higher health care expenses for everyone.

Cuts from health care programs should be a last resort after other programs, which lack such importance, have been cut, too.

One solution: Cut the fat from other educational programs that do not train students to deal with life-and-death situations. A poorly qualified art student is not the equivalent of a poorly trained nurse who is responsible for peoples lives.

Qualified health care workers are a necessity.

The budget concerns of a school like the College of Nursing cannot justify turning down students who wish to pursue a profession of helping others.

The effects of these cuts likely will materialize when baby boomers require more health care in the upcoming years.

More qualified nurses will be needed to take care of such a large generations needs.