 The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce is proud to share an update on the leadership of our statewide Council of Deans and Directors, the body of nursing education leaders that convenes each month to advance excellence across Connecticut's nursing programs. Following an open election of the full Council membership, we are delighted to welcome two newly elected Vice-Chairs, Cynthia O'Sullivan, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs & Global Nursing of Sacred Heart University and Edie Ouellet, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, Executive Director and Chair, Nursing Department, University of Hartford. Both bring deep experience in nursing education and a strong commitment to the Council's shared work, and we look forward to the leadership they will provide. They join our Co-Chairs, Amanda Bell of Arizona College and Patty DeLucia of Lincoln Tech, who continue to guide the Council's monthly meetings, shape its agendas, and represent our members before key stakeholders, including the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing. We are also pleased to welcome Christina Nadeau, DNP, MSN, RN, OCN, CNE, Director of Clinical Education for the Nursing Program at Eastern Connecticut State University, as the Council's new Secretary. Christina will steward our meeting minutes and agendas, keeping the Council's work organized and accessible to all members. This Council speaks for 54 nursing education leaders across 27 schools and programs of nursing in Connecticut, spanning public and private institutions and every level of nursing education. Strong volunteer leadership is what makes that voice possible. Please join us in congratulating our new Vice-Chairs and Secretary, and thanking our entire leadership team for their service to nursing education and the future of Connecticut's nursing workforce. With gratitude, Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, DNP, RN Executive Director, Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce
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The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing partner every other year to collect a national sample of nursing supply data using our Supply Minimum Data Set along with some additional questions. In Connecticut, the surveys are collected via mail. The first surveys went out in March with round two mailing in June and then round three in September. If you are randomly selected, it is important that you participate. Your input will generate information critical to workforce planning and ensure a safe and effective health care system. Learn more: ncsbn.org/workforce   On May 19, 2026, CT State Community College will mark a proud and heartfelt milestone as the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Class of 2026 gathers for their Pinning Ceremony — a cherished tradition that honors the dedication, resilience, and compassion it takes to enter the nursing profession. Family, faculty, and friends will fill the room with pride as each graduate receives their pin, a symbol of their commitment to the art and science of nursing. After years of rigorous coursework, clinical rotations, and countless late-night study sessions, the Class of 2026 will cross the threshold from student to nurse. A Powerful Voice to Mark the Occasion The ceremony will be made even more special by the presence of an extraordinary guest speaker: Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, DNP, RN, CPPS, FADLN, Executive Director of the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce. Dr. Loarte-Rodriguez will bring both inspiration and purpose to the room, speaking to the graduates about the vital role nurses play in shaping the health and well-being of communities across Connecticut and beyond. Drawing on her own journey in nursing and her statewide advocacy work, Dr. Loarte-Rodriguez will remind the new nurses that they are not just entering a career — they are joining a movement. Connecticut's communities need strong, skilled, and compassionate nurses now more than ever, and this graduating class is ready to answer that call. The Meaning Behind the Pin The pinning ceremony holds a special place in nursing tradition, distinct from graduation itself. The pin — often placed by a mentor, family member, or fellow student — represents the personal commitment each nurse makes to their patients and their profession. For the CT State Class of 2026, the moment will serve as a powerful reminder of why they began this journey and what lies ahead. Congratulations in Advance, Class of 2026!To every nurse who will walk across that stage on May 19th — congratulations. Your hard work, heart, and determination have brought you to this moment. Connecticut's patients and communities are fortunate to have you. Welcome to the profession. Now go change lives.
 On February 17, 2026, CCNW’s Executive Director was featured on News 8 WTNH addressing nurse burnout, workplace violence, and staffing shortages across Connecticut.
The message was clear. This is not just a staffing crisis, it is a pipeline and policy failure. Connecticut has unfilled nursing education seats, graduates too few nurses to meet demand, and faces faculty shortages, limited clinical placements, rising education costs, and outdated regulations that slow real solutions. Nursing is economic infrastructure. When the workforce fails, access to care suffers and communities pay the price. With intentional investment, regulatory modernization, and full use of the nursing workforce, Connecticut can absolutely solve this. As a small gift this season, we're offering additional time to submit your APP Strategic Leadership Fellowship application! We’ve heard from applicants that more time is helpful in crafting a stronger, more thoughtful submission, so we’re providing a brief extension to ensure you can put your best work forward.
AONL is offering additional time to submit your APP Strategic Leadership Fellowship application! Continue from where you left off and submit ahead of the new deadline of Dec. 3, 11:59 p.m. CT. We look forward to reviewing your materials! Here's a reminder of what makes this program unique:
Don’t your chance to be part of this high-impact fellowship and transform into a more strategic leader driving stronger results. Learn more - Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Strategic Leadership Fellowship | AONL Apply - Microsite UCSF and AONL Fellowship for Advanced Practice Providers  Nurses are professionals. Sign our petition and let your voice be heard
Nursing is a profession, essential to the health and safety of every American. Yet the U.S. Department of Education is moving forward with a proposal that excludes graduate nursing programs from the definition of “professional degree” programs eligible for higher federal graduate loans. If this proposal stands, graduate nursing students would have access to only half the amount of federal student loan funding available to physicians, dentists, and other listed professions. This would make it harder for nurses to pursue advanced practice and faculty roles at a time when our healthcare system needs them most. This decision would have far-reaching consequences for the nursing workforce and for patients nationwide. Limiting access to graduate education funding undermines efforts to address workforce shortages, expand care in rural and underserved communities, and strengthen nursing education. It also conflicts with other parts of the federal administration that have recognized the value of advanced practice nursing and invested in expanding these roles. In just a few days, more than 130,000 people have already signed our petition urging the Department to correct this mistake. This issue affects every nurse, every patient, and every community that depends on high-quality care. Please take a moment to add your voice now.
Honor a nurse today and make your Giving Tuesday contribution count in the most meaningful way. Together, we celebrate the hands, hearts, and voices that heal.  This Giving Tuesday, we’re shining a light on the people who carry the heart of healthcare — our nurses.
Every day, they show up with knowledge, courage, and compassion. Now, we have a powerful way to honor them. Introducing the Nurse Honor Wall — a place where anyone can celebrate a nurse who has made an impact. Whether it’s a mentor who shaped your career, a colleague who always shows up, or the nurse who cared for you or someone you love, your tribute becomes part of a growing, public archive of gratitude. Your Great Give donation helps us expand this platform, amplify these stories, and continue uplifting the nursing workforce with recognition that truly matters. 💙 How You Can Participate:
Every tribute strengthens our community. Every story reminds a nurse their work makes a difference. Every gift fuels our mission.  The new short documentary Don’t Clock Out shines a light on the emotional toll of nursing, and the resilience that keeps nurses going. Produced by the peer-support organization of the same name, the film follows healthcare workers navigating moral distress, burnout, and their shared search for healing.
Through intimate storytelling, Don’t Clock Out urges viewers to rethink how we care for those who care for others. It’s more than a film, it’s a movement to restore humanity to the profession and strengthen the nursing pipeline by supporting mental health and retention. “The nursing pipeline is more than new graduates — it’s sustained hearts and minds who stay, lead, and thrive.”
Announcing the 2025 Class of Fellows of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN)10/6/2025 Silver Spring, MD – The Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN) proudly announces the induction of its 2025 class of Fellows. These distinguished nurse leaders have demonstrated excellence in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) through their contributions in education, research, practice, policy, and administration.
The 2025 Fellows represent a powerful collective dedicated to shaping the future of nursing and healthcare by ensuring all voices are heard and valued. To view the entire list including Posthumous ADLN Fellows and Luminary ADLN Fellows - Click here 2025 Fellows of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing Distinguished ADLN Fellows This group of Fellows consists of individuals who have created innovative JEDI initiatives in nursing and transformed nursing education, research, practice, policy or administration.
The Macy Faculty Scholars Program is designed to identify and nurture the careers of promising educators and future leaders in medicine and nursing. Macy Faculty Scholars receive up to $250,000 of salary, project, and professional development support over two years to implement an educational project in their home institutions.
They also participate in a program of career development activities and build meaningful connections with a national network of mentors and peers—all with the goal of preparing them to become leaders in medical and nursing education. This prestigious two-year opportunity offers up to $250,000 in support, national mentorship, and a powerful platform to launch your educational innovation. Don’t miss out! The deadline for applications is Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. Lisa Sundean to be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2025 Class of New Fellows6/18/2025  The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) announces today that it will induct a highly accomplished cohort of nurse leaders as its 2025 Fellows. The inductees will be recognized for their substantial contributions to health and health care at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 16 – October 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme is “Impact Through Integrity and Trust: Our Role as Navigators and Translators.”
The newest Fellows represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Their extensive expertise will enrich the thought leadership of the over 3,200 Academy Fellows who together advance the Academy's mission of improving health and achieving health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science. “I cannot emphasize enough at this pivotal time in history the vital importance of recognizing this extraordinary and sizeable group of nurse leaders. With rich and varied backgrounds from practice, policy, research, entrepreneurship, and academia, they have been instrumental in using nursing’s holistic approach to improve the health of patients and communities throughout the world,” said Academy President Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN. “Induction into the Academy represents the highest honor in nursing. Earning the FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential is a prestigious recognition of one’s accomplishments and signifies the power of nursing to transform health and enact positive outcomes.” The 2025 Class of Fellows, selected from a historically high number of applicants which resulted in a comparable overall acceptance rate as in previous years, represent the continued influence nurses have on ensuring innovative, evidence-informed solutions that champion health and well-being in their systems and communities. The Academy appreciates the dedicated work of the organization’s Fellow Selection Committee and International Subcommittee, who led the rigorous review of the record-breaking number of applications. The Academy will host the Induction Ceremony and Soiree on the evening of Saturday, October 18, 2025. This event is a unique opportunity to showcase nursing leadership, science, and innovation where colleagues, friends, families, and sponsors gather together in Washington, DC to celebrate nursing’s transformational efforts to improve health. Learn more about the Academy and visit the policy conference website for more details. 2025 Academy Fellows* Connecticut
The New England Minority Nurse Leadership Conference (NEMNLC), a collaboration between eight New England Chapters of the National Black Nurses Association, Inc., National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses of North America, introduced the NEMNL Scholarship Program in 2021.
NEMNL Scholarship Program was established to assist minority undergraduate and graduate nursing students, registered nurses and nurse leaders in achieving higher levels of education, professional success and enhance contributions to the profession of nursing and healthcare. Founded on the core principles of leadership and service to diverse underrepresented communities, scholarship awardees are recognized for their ability to make an impact in the nursing profession through leadership. Scholarship applications are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and service experience. Applicants must show a commitment to diversity in leadership and community healthcare impact in the New England Region.  The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) has officially opened Early Bird Registration for its highly anticipated 2025 Annual Convention, to be held November 20–22 in Nashville, Tennessee — and this year’s speaker lineup promises to inspire, inform, and elevate.
Location: Nashville, TN Dates: November 20–22, 2025 We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, Executive Director of CCNW, will be one of the featured speakers at this national gathering of nurse educators and leaders. A dynamic voice for community health and equity, Dr. Loarte-Rodriguez will share powerful stories of resilience, trust, and transformation, and explore their lasting impact within the ADN nursing community. Themed “Elevating Nursing Education: Embracing Change, Strengthening Community,” the 2025 convention features a powerhouse group of thought leaders from across public health, leadership, AI, and nursing education: Featured Speakers Include:
With rates held at 2024 pricing, now is the perfect time to register and save: Early Bird Registration is now open – save $100 off regular rates! Join OADN for three days of innovation, connection, and celebration of the Associate Degree Nurse. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement transforming nursing education from the inside out. Register today: https://oadn.org/news/oadn-convention-update-featured-speakers-registration For more about Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez and CCNW, click here
 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 |
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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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