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 During Nurses Week, CCNW proudly honors the incredible dedication and compassion of nurses across our community. Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, offering skilled care, emotional support, and tireless advocacy for their patients.
At CCNW, we recognize the vital role nurses play every day—and especially during this special week. We thank you for your unwavering commitment, your strength in challenging moments, and your deep compassion that makes a lasting difference in so many lives. To all nurses: we see you, we support you, and we are grateful for you. Happy Nurses Week!  At CCNW, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of nurses during National Nurses Month. Nurses are the heart of healthcare—providing compassionate care, advocating for patients, and working tirelessly to improve the well-being of our communities.
Throughout the month of May, we honor the dedication, resilience, and expertise that nurses bring to their work each and every day. From hospitals and clinics to long-term care and home health, nurses go above and beyond to deliver critical care and comfort to those in need. CCNW extends our deepest gratitude to all nurses—not just this month, but every day of the year. Your courage and commitment inspire us all. Thank you for ALL you do.  Join us for our Conference
Tuesday Keynote Panel: The Changing Nursing Workforce Conversation
 The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW) is excited to announce a Lapel Pin Design Contest! We’re calling on creative minds to design a unique, professional, and inspiring lapel pin that represents CCNW’s mission and brand. The winning design will be produced as an official CCNW lapel pin, worn with pride by nursing professionals across Connecticut!
Design Guidelines:
Mission of CCNW: “The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc.’s mission is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of Connecticut residents.” Who Can Participate? This contest is open to students, nurses, designers, and anyone passionate about nursing and workforce development! Show us your creativity—help design a pin that represents the heart of Connecticut’s nursing workforce! The winning designer will receive a gift card and will have their work featured in CCNW’s marketing efforts! How to Submit: Email your design to [email protected] Deadline: April 1, 2025  ChatGPT Prompts to Land Your Dream Job in 2025
AI is a tool that can help you launch or pivot your career. Use the following prompts to assist you on your journey. 1. Company Research "I have an interview with [company] for the position of [job position]. Please summarize the company's mission, core products or services, and recent news or achievements by analyzing their website [website link] and any recent press releases." 2. Resume Optimization "Review my current resume attached and suggest improvements tailored for applying to a [job position] at [company]. Highlight any gaps in my experience and recommend ways to address these through online courses or projects." 3. Cover Letter Writing "Based on the job description for [job position] at [company], generate a cover letter that highlights my relevant experience, skills, and why I am passionate about working for [company]." 4. Interview Preparation "For the position of [job position] at [company], what are some industry-specific challenges or trends I should be aware of? How can I demonstrate my understanding or propose potential solutions during the interview?" 5. Common Interview Questions "Generate a list of common interview questions for a [job position] role within the [industry] industry." 6. Behavioral Interview Questions "Create a set of behavioral interview questions relevant to the [job position] role at [company]. Include a brief guide on how to structure responses using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, tailored to my experiences." 7. Follow-Up After Interview "Draft a follow-up email template for after an interview for the [job position] role at [company]. The email should express gratitude, reiterate interest in the position, and include a statement on how I can add value to the team, reflecting specifics from our discussion." 8. Technical Skills Assessment "I need to demonstrate my proficiency in [specific skill or software] for a [job position] role at [company]. Can you generate a practice test or challenges that reflect the level of understanding required?" 9. Salary Negotiation Strategies "Based on the role of [job position] in [location or industry], what is the competitive salary range? Provide strategies and key phrases for negotiating a higher salary or better benefits, considering my experience level and industry standards." 10. Networking and Referrals "Provide tips on how to use LinkedIn for networking with employees currently working at [company]. Include a template message for reaching out to potential contacts for insights about the [job position] and company culture."  This event will include discussions in collaboration with individual and organizational partners, to highlight successful exemplars and establish measurable outcomes. This 2 ½ day event will ends with a call to action and commitment from the audience to measure impact and improvement over time.
What the summit is about
Who will be in attendance
American Nurses Association
Time management is a crucial skill for nursing students. It helps you balance schoolwork, studying, and personal life. Here are some simple tips to manage your time well:
1. Make a Schedule Start by creating a schedule. Write down all the things you need to do each day, like classes, study time, and personal activities. Seeing it on paper helps you plan and stay organized. 2. Prioritize Tasks Some tasks are more important than others. Focus on what needs to be done first. For example, study for a test before working on a project. Tackle the hardest tasks when you have the most energy. 3. Break It Down Big tasks can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, easier steps. Instead of saying, "I need to study all night," try, "I will study for one hour and take a break." This makes things feel more manageable. 4. Use a Timer Set a timer for 25-30 minutes to stay focused. Work hard during that time, then take a short break. This method is called the Pomodoro Technique. It helps keep your mind fresh. 5. Avoid Multitasking Multitasking might seem like a good idea, but it can actually waste time. Focus on one task at a time. If you finish something quickly, you can move to the next. 6. Take Care of Yourself Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. If you take care of your body, your mind will work better. Good self-care helps you stay focused and energized. 7. Ask for Help Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you’re struggling with something, talk to a classmate, a teacher, or a tutor. Getting help can save time and reduce stress. By following these steps, you can manage your time better and be more successful in your nursing program. Time management helps reduce stress and gives you more time for yourself.
Getting into a nursing school in Connecticut means following some important steps and meeting certain requirements. First, you need to have a high school diploma or a GED, which proves you have finished basic schooling. Many nursing schools ask for a certain grade point average (GPA), which shows your overall grades. Commonly, schools look for at least a 2.75 GPA, but sometimes they want 3.0 or higher. If your GPA is lower, it might still be okay to apply, but you should check with the specific school for their rules.
Next, most nursing schools want you to have taken some science and math classes before you start. These classes often include biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry. You will also need to show you can do college-level math and write well in English. Many schools require a C or better in these classes to make sure you understand the basics. Schools may also ask you to take a test like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or the HESI Admission Assessment. These tests check your skills in reading, math, science, and English, and help the schools see if you’re ready for nursing classes. If you want a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you might also need to send in SAT or ACT scores. When you apply, you will usually have to give official copies of your school records, letters of recommendation from people who can talk about your work or study habits, and a short essay. In this essay, you explain why you want to be a nurse and share any volunteer or healthcare experience you might have. Before you can begin clinical training, you will need proof of certain shots—such as for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), chickenpox, and hepatitis B—and you may need a tuberculosis (TB) test. You also need CPR certification and must pass a background check and a drug test, since you will be caring for patients. Some nursing schools have special tracks for people who already have a different college degree or are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Requirements can vary, so always check each school’s website and the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing or the Connecticut Department of Public Health for the most accurate details.  Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, DNP, RN, CPPS, CPHRM, Executive Director, CCNW is a guest speaker at the Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans | Connecticut, Creating a Collective Agenda.
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2025(Snow Day, 18 January 2025) Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm Location: Legislative Office Building, Hartford, Connecticut Hosted in collaboration with:
Event Overview The University of Connecticut’s Puerto Rican Studies Initiative, in collaboration with the Connecticut General Assembly’s Puerto Rican & Latino Caucus, cordially invites you to the inaugural 2025 Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans | Connecticut: Creating a Collective Agenda summit. This important event seeks to identify and prioritize key areas for improvement within Connecticut’s growing Puerto Rican community. The summit will serve as a collaborative platform to set a non-partisan agenda, focusing on providing essential information to policymakers and elected officials, while encouraging civic engagement and addressing critical information gaps about Puerto Ricans in Connecticut. Key Highlights:
Goals:
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/947260380297?aff=oddtdtcreator  CCNW is excited to announce the launch of our "Prelicensure Student Success Series"—a monthly forum dedicated to empowering pre-licensure nursing students as they transition into professional practice.
This series is designed to provide a supportive space where future nurses can build confidence, competence, and resilience. Each session will feature evidence-based strategies, insights from experienced nursing professionals, and real-time guidance tailored to the unique challenges of pre-licensure students. When and Where: Join us on the fourth Wednesday of every month from January through May 2025, 8:00–9:30 PM EST. Sessions will be held virtually, making it easy for students across Connecticut to participate. Together, we’ll ensure that our emerging nursing workforce receives the support, guidance, and preparation they need to thrive from day one. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your success. Register now and take the next step toward your professional nursing career! The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW), in collaboration with the Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData), is pleased to present the Nursing Education in Connecticut 2023 Data Story. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights into the students and faculty of Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pre-licensure education programs in Connecticut from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
Introducing two significant additions to this data story: the NCLEX pass rate data, a key indicator of program quality, and an index designed to facilitate navigation through the report's various components. These elements are crucial for enhancing your understanding and navigation of the report. This report is a powerful call to action for the nursing community. It serves as a reminder to address critical issues and to collectively advance efforts toward a more diverse and inclusive nursing education environment in Connecticut. You can access the full report on the CCNW and CTData Collaborative websites for more details. CCNW: Data Reports - THE CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR NURSING WORKFORCE, INC. (CCNW) CTData: Nursing Education Data 2023 — CTData We sincerely appreciate your time and attention in reviewing this report. We look forward to working together to implement the necessary changes and improve nursing education in Connecticut.  Proud to share Susan will be presenting "Streamlining Success: Onboarding Academic Nurse Faculty with an Online Preparation Course" as a Podium Presentation at AACN's Transform 2024 Conference in December in New Orleans, LA.
This Giving Tuesday, your support will make a direct impact on the future of nursing and healthcare in our community and beyond. At the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW), we are committed to addressing critical needs in nursing education, workforce development, and leadership. But we can't do it alone. We need your help to ensure the continued success and growth of our programs.
Why Your Support Matters:
Your Contribution Helps Fund:
Make a Difference Today! This Giving Tuesday, your donation will help us strengthen the nursing workforce, diversify the field, and create a more robust healthcare system for tomorrow. Join us in supporting nurses who are dedicated to excellence and leadership in healthcare. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future. Donate Now to Make an Impact: Visit the Giving Tuesday CCNW Donation Page and help us continue to transform the nursing profession. Every dollar counts! The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW), in collaboration with the Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData), is pleased to present the Nursing Education in Connecticut 2022 Data Story. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights into the students and faculty of Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pre-licensure education programs in Connecticut from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
Key Findings: - Proactive measures are needed to increase student recruitment into baccalaureate degree nursing programs in the state. Recommended strategies include enhanced marketing and outreach efforts, collaboration with high schools and community colleges to provide pathways for students interested in nursing, offering financial incentives, scholarships, grants, or loan forgiveness programs, and providing mentorship and networking opportunities for prospective students. - Our data shows that work needs to be done to increase the recruitment of Black and Hispanic/Latino nursing program faculty to better match the demographics of the student population, particularly in LPN programs. Recommended strategies include implementing targeted outreach and recruitment programs, offering mentorship and support programs, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within the nursing program, and instituting fair and unbiased hiring practices to support diverse faculty growth. This report serves as a call to action for the nursing community to address these critical issues and work towards a more diverse and inclusive nursing education environment in Connecticut. You can access the full report on the CCNW and CTData websites for more details. https://www.ctcenterfornursingworkforce.com/data-reports.html https://nursing.ctdata.org/ We deeply appreciate your attention and look forward to working together to improve nursing education in Connecticut. Please join the Build the Healthcare Workforce of Tomorrow action team of the Capital Area Healthcare Partnership (CAHP) for this FREE Healthcare UNconference! Attendance will be beneficial for:
Registration is required for each attendee. Registration link: https://capitalworkforce.org/unconference/  Have you thought about returning to school but don’t know how to start the process? Did you know that your organization may provide financial support advance your education? CCNW offers support and resources to explore opportunities to advance your education that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sherylyn Watson, Chair of the Board, CT Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc., 203-727-2477 Marcia B. Proto, Executive Director, 203-494-1121, [email protected] Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, 203-691-5013, [email protected] The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. Announces Leadership Transition June 3, 2024- Wallingford, CT--- Sherylyn Watson, Chair of the Board of Directors for The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW) has announced that after eighteen years, Marcia B. Proto, CCNW Executive Director will transition from the leadership role on June 30, 2024, and Tina Loarte-Rodriguez will become the organization’s Executive Director. Marcia B. Proto was named Executive Director in 2004 (taking 2 years from 2007- 2009 to work with the National League for Nursing) and has led the organization’s work on a statewide and national scale for almost two decades. Her passion for educating nursing and non-nursing stakeholders about the positive impact of highly skilled nurses on improving the health of Connecticut residents, and the importance of maintaining and expanding the capacity of our schools of nursing to meet emerging employment needs across the continuum of care is unparalleled. Proto has built a vibrant state and national network encompassing the Healthcare Trade Associations, Workforce Development Boards, CT Government Departments- Public Health, Labor, Office of Healthcare Strategy, and State Board of Examiners for Nursing to support the identification of statewide strategies to develop workforce planning initiatives to build a robust and sustainable nursing workforce. She will continue to operate her healthcare consulting company, Marcia Proto Consulting, LLC. Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez has over eighteen years of nursing experience in various healthcare settings and specialties. A first-generation college graduate, she is a graduate of Cornell University, the University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University. A perpetual learner passionate about innovation, health equity, and advocacy, she completed the American Nurses Association’s Innovation Accelerator Program in 2023 and is a 2023-2024 Fellow of the American Nurses Advocacy Institute. Tina knows nurses are highly skilled professionals and belong everywhere decisions about people are made. Dr. Loarte-Rodriguez is a 2021 Hartford Business Journal Healthcare Hero Award winner. She also led her nursing team to win the 2021 Connecticut Nurses Association Excellence in Team Award. She is active with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), the Connecticut Nurses Association (CNA), and DNPs of Color (DOCs). Tina has published several works, including her recent book, Latinas In Nursing, the first anthology celebrating the journeys of fifteen Latina nurses across the United States. Tina works hard, and she plays even harder. She loves dancing, traveling, and reading. An Afro-Latina Boricua (Puerto Rican), born and raised in the Bronx, NY.
 Join the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers 2024 Annual Conference “Accelerating Nursing Workforce Solutions: Innovative Programs and Data to Transform Policy”. The conference which will be held on June 17-19, 2024 in San Diego will bring together nursing, workforce, and leaders from across the country to learn, share and network.
This national conference will focus on these key issues that affect the nursing workforce shortage:
Visit The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce at our Exhibitor Booth Also, Join Susan Deane on two sessions 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Ready, Set, Go . . . Return to the Nursing Workforce Using a Virtual Online RN Refresher Course at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM An Onboarding Model for Novice Nurse Faculty Using an Online Full-Time Faculty Preparation Course Speaker: Susan Deane
Interview with Marcia Proto on "Melissa in the Morning". Hear Marcia share with Melissa concerning nursing workforce in CT, what changes have been implemented, what other improvements can be made to recruit and retain nurses.
This award acknowledges the work done over the past year of a nurse educator in Academia or Practice who has amplified the critical importance of the CCNW mission which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of Connecticut residents. Selection Criteria: A nursing education professional who has:
Dr. Krol was unable to attend the Summit as she was in Chile with her nursing students. Dr. Krol was nominated by her colleague at Southern Connecticut State University, Michele Vancour, who accepted the award on her behalf. The CCNW Nurse Workforce Development Award. Presented to Dr. Maria Krol
Dr. Krol is Chair and Associate Professor of Southern CT State University’s School of Nursing. Her innovative leadership resulted in many positive outcomes for CT’s nursing workforce. Her recent initiatives include: implementing a new BSN pathway for students, A second cohort of Accelerated/second Degree BSN students, and a Summer Nursing Symposia for high school students. The latter initiative will create a pipeline into healthcare careers and provide CNA training leading to state certification. These initiatives offer diversity-enhancing opportunities via a student mentorship program, and moreover minimize barriers to progression to post-secondary education. Her efforts are making a difference for all. The Jane E. Murdock "Life-Long" Learning Award was established in 2011, and acknowledges the work done over the past year by a nurse educator in Academia or Practice who has demonstrated knowledge as an Exemplar Nurse Educator who uses best-practices in teaching and learning, incorporated an evidence-based approach to teaching, earned the respect of students and colleagues, and is certified as a Nurse Educator or Professional Development Educator. Selection Criteria: A nursing education professional who has:
The Jane E. Murdock “Life-Long” Learning Award. Presented to Dr. Cheryl Ann Green at the CCNW Summit on April 10th.
Dr. Green is an Off-Shift Nurse Administrative Manager at the Yale-New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus & Nurse Educator, and a Doctor of Nursing Chair and Committee Member within the Graduate School at Abilene Christian University. Dr. Green has been a registered nurse for over 34 years and a licensed clinical social worker for over 30 years. Dr. Green has designed innovative courses for both graduate and undergraduate nursing programs throughout her tenure as a Nurse Faculty, and specifically within the Southern Connecticut State University undergraduate program- A Healthcare Narrative and Critical Care course; and at Abilene Christian University graduate program, Healthcare Policy, and Genetics in Nursing Practice courses. Her most recent work, which was just published last month, includes her research conducted in her role as Off-Shift Administrative Manager and Nurse Educator at Yale New Haven Health. This work centers around the critical importance of succession planning for nurse leaders. As the nursing profession is continually evolving with new healthcare innovations and approaches in the care of complex clients; there is a need to engage in succession plans of nursing leadership. Dr. Green collaborated with her colleagues on the use of competency-based curriculums to educate a new generation of nursing leaders to help with the seamless transition to prepare competent and effective nurses at all levels. |
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OUR MISSIONTo foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of Connecticut residents.
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