Connecticut is facing a nursing shortage even though the number of students in the state graduating from nursing programs is up.

According to a report by the state Department of Education, in 2006 there were 1,076 nursing degrees issued by Connecticut colleges. The number was 25 percent more than in 2005, but just shy of the number of annual registered nurse job openings predicted by the state labor department.

The current shortage is being blamed on nurses having more responsibility, but at a low pay scale. Nursing educators say a lack of faculty is also contributing to the shortage.