CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The University of Virginia's School of Nursing said it's seen a rise in applications for its programs.

"We have seen an increase in almost every one of our programs," said Beth Epstein, interim director of academic programs for the UVA School of Nursing. "It's been exciting to see all these applications coming through."

According to the UVA School of Nursing, it has had more than twice as many early decision applicants this year compared to last year. These applicants are binding, which means they are committed to coming.

For early action applicants, who will be notified of their admission decisions by April 1, there has been a nearly 50 percent increase in applications.

Epstein says the school is also seeing this rise in applications in its other programs.

"In our masters program, we have increased by 27 percent. In our clinical nurse leader program, we've increased by 23 percent," said Epstein. "In our post masters program, we've seen an increase in applications by about 90 percent and much of that has been in the psychiatry, mental health nurse practitioner program."

The admissions chief for the school believes this rise is a result of people finding their calling during the COVID-19 pandemic along with other factors.

"We no longer require SATs and ACTs, which I think really helps some people who were intimidated by that to put their applications," Epstein said. "We also think there's an element of UVA being an in-person program even though we were mostly online this fall and will be this spring. We have small clinical groups and we have lots of clinical experiences and lab experiences."

She says the rise in numbers is inspiring and teaching the next generation of nurses can save lives on the front lines.

"Nurses are smart. They are strong. They're saving the world is probably not an understatement at this point," said Epstein. "It's pretty inspiring to see what nurses are doing are doing these days and I'm really proud to be a faculty member to be teaching the future."

The UVA School of Nursing also received a $20 million gift to expand its undergraduate programs and accommodate more students in August.