CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kasey Carpenter, 19, is balancing a lot as a UNC Charlotte student.

She's a nursing student and a Certified Nursing Assistant at CaroMont Health. Despite the fatigue, Carpenter is all in as she readies to become a full-time nurse.

“With everything going on, I see how there's the burnout, and they need nurses, and I wanted to help as much as I could,” Carpenter says.

She's part of a growing group. Nursing school applications are up 16% this spring at Central Piedmont Community College and up 50% for the undergraduate program at UNC Charlotte.

“I think that a lot of people thought those numbers are going to go down because no one wants to work in those conditions, but I think historically nursing has been identified as the most trusted profession for many, many years,” says UNC Charlotte School of Nursing Director Dr. Dena Evans.

Evans says students see the pandemic as a chance to learn hands on. The increase in students could partially fill a need.

“These nurses who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic are going to be so burned out. I think it's important to have nursing students in the pipeline,” Evans says.

Carpenter knows the stresses of nursing are great, but she's ready to get going.

“This is something that I'm very passionate about, this is the time to do it. Let's do it while I can,” Evans says.