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Critical Areas of Concern Shared by Senior level Nursing Students Related to the Transition from Student Nurse to Practicing Nurse
On November 7, 2023, The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW) held its 43rd Annual RN Student Day that attracted over 830 senior level nursing students from Connecticut Schools and Programs of Nursing. During a morning session, Marcia B. Proto, M.ED, CAS, Executive Director of the CCNW, asked each of the (85) tables to select a Table Captain for an activity. The Table Captain was to engage their peers in open dialogue to identify and capture their thoughts and concerns related to the transition from student nurse to practicing nurse. The student feedback which represents 28% of the current senior level nursing students was a true “eye-opener”. They identified five key areas that students want, and need addressed by both academe and practice related to pre-and post-hire concerns which would help foster a seamless transition to practice for the graduating nursing student and promote retention of the new nurse within the first year. As a result, CCNW will be developing and delivering programming to address these five (5) keys areas to support the leadership of Connecticut’s nursing schools and practice settings via interactive webinars that will be delivered via our professional development “Lunch and Learn Webinar Series” beginning in early 2024. CCNW categorized the student responses and feedback into the following five key areas:
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 Marcia Proto, Executive Director of the CCNW, represents Connecticut in New Orleans at the National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Center’s meeting of Executive Directors from across the country.
For more information related to nursing workforce, practice and education initiatives happening in Connecticut, visit: www.CTCenterForNursingWorkforce.com An Event Hosted By the Education Working Group at Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut, The Center for Communications and Engineering, Room 101, Mount Carmel Auditorium.
In Person or via Web-Ex Please join us for a series of presentations and discussions from the Education Working Group about the responsibilities of colleges and universities in Connecticut to protect the civil rights of their students with disabilities. Topics addressed will include the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act, as well as working with students with mental health and behavioral health disabilities, reasonable accommodation policies, and emotional support and service animal policies. This event is designed for senior leadership of colleges and universities as well as the staff of each school’s student accessibility services or disability services office. To attend in-person, please RSVP by e-mailing [email protected]. To attend by Web-Ex, please register here. Speakers Will Include:
About The Education Working Group: The Education Working Group is organized by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and is composed of representatives from state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and the community at large. The group meets regularly to discuss the civil rights issues that arise in education and child-care settings. This year’s focus topic is children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but the group works to help children and parents with all types of disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please contact [email protected]. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR for THE CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR NURSING WORKFORCE, INC.
Executive Director Position: The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc, (CCNW) seeks a new Executive Director with responsibility for overseeing the administration, operations, programs, and communications of the CCNW. Other key responsibilities include fundraising, public relations, and community outreach. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors through the Board Chair. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, excellent oral and written communication ability, strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently, a customer service orientation and a passion for CCNW’s strategic initiatives to build a robust nursing workforce for the 21st century, support the professional development of individual nurses and create the infrastructure needed to implement and sustain CCNW strategies. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week with a salary commensurate with experience. The Executive Director will be expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees. Working on some evenings and weekends will be required. Key Responsibilities:
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Terms of the Executive Director Position:
To Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, current resume, completed Application Form, Qualification Statement and contact information for 2 professional references. Applications are due no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m. EST) on Friday, February 16, 2024. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Graphic Highlighting Respondents to the 2019 Statewide Healthcare Workforce DEMAND Survey
 To view full report, visit: http://www.ct.sentinelnetwork.org
For more information, please contact: Marcia B. Proto, M.Ed, CAS, Executive Director The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. [email protected] 203-494-1121
 Raquel Ramos of Yale University School of Nursing is One of Five Awardees for Health Equity Work A nurse researcher in Connecticut who leverages eHealth and community engagement to enhance cardiovascular health equity in gay and bisexual men with HIV is one of five recipients of the inaugural Equity-Minded Nurse Awards from the AARP Center for Health Equity Through NursingSM and the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that is building a healthier America through nursing. The awards are part of the Campaign’s work to implement the goals of the National Academy of Medicine report, the Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, which explores nursing’s pivotal role in advancing health equity.
The awards are given in five categories (Educator, Researcher, Leader, Practice, Rising Star) and each is generously co-sponsored by a national nursing organization. The awardees receive a $1,000 prize each and paid travel to and recognition at the AARP Health Equity and Nursing Summit: Turning Commitments into Action, in Washington, DC. S. Raquel Ramos, PhD, MSN, MBA, Yale University School of Nursing, West Haven, Connecticut, received the Equity-Minded Nurse Research Award. Co-sponsored by the American Academy of Nursing, this award recognizes a nurse researcher whose scholarship advances the science and the body of knowledge that advances health equity. The research or scholarship of this award should be or have the potential to be disseminated widely as best or promising practices. Ramos’ research examines how user-centered design and technology-driven, behavioral interventions can enhance cardiovascular health equity in sexual minority men of color with HIV and at risk of HIV-related comorbid conditions. As a protocol nurse for the Multicenter AIDS cohort study, the longest running study on the life course of HIV in gay and bisexual men, Ramos observed the connection between HIV and cardiovascular disease risk.  A nurse educator in Maryland who centers health equity in classroom innovations and program implementation.
A nurse practitioner in Wisconsin who thrives on solving big issues that patients face by using nurse-created and inspired solutions. A nurse scientist in Texas passionate about ensuring that research evidence translates into policy and practice to support health equity for communities of color and those affected by trauma and substance use. A nurse educator in Kentucky whose 30-plus year career has focused on community engagement to advance health equity. A nurse researcher in Connecticut who leverages eHealth and community engagement to enhance cardiovascular health equity in gay and bisexual men with HIV. These five accomplished nurses are the recipients of the inaugural Equity-Minded Nurse Awards from the AARP Center for Health Equity Through NursingSM and the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that is building a healthier America through nursing. The awards are part of the Campaign’s work to implement the goals of the National Academy of Medicine report, the Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, which explores nursing’s pivotal role in advancing health equity. The awards are given in five categories and each is generously co-sponsored by a national nursing organization. The winners will receive a $1,000 prize each and paid travel to and recognition at the AARP Health Equity and Nursing Summit: Turning Commitments into Action, in Washington, DC, Oct. 31-Nov. 1. The honorees are:
To Learn more about the awards, View AARP Website
 The numbers leave little doubt that attention and systemic actions are required to address the nursing workforce challenges in Connecticut.
In 2022, Connecticut reported 89,819 active licenses for Registered Nurses, but only about half that number -45,014- are actively employed in a nursing capacity in Connecticut. This is according to a just-completed analysis by the CTData Collaborative and The CT Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. in September 2023. Nursing is the single largest job category within the field of healthcare. Licensed nurses provide high-quality, safe, and compassionate care within hospitals, long-term care facilities, homecare settings, and schools, as well as within community-based agencies throughout Connecticut. It is imperative that Connecticut adopt data-driven strategies to inform programming and innovative solutions to support a robust and sustainable nursing workforce to meet the healthcare needs of all Connecticut residents. It is easy to assume that with more than 89,000 licensed Registered Nurses (RNs), Connecticut has more than a sufficient number of RNs to handle the increased need for care due to the aging of the Connecticut population and anything else that comes our way. Yet, we now understand, conclusively, that assumption would be wrong. That is not the only alarm bell ringing. The data indicates that of the working RNs totaling 51,154, the age range comprises five generations from ages 20 to 96, with a median age of 47; and that 46% of the working RNs are 50 years and older. The largest age group of working RNs is between 30-39 at 23% or 11,626; followed by 22% between the ages of 50-59; and most alarming, is that only 11% of the total pool of employed RNs are between the ages of 20-29. Connecticut does not have nearly the number of younger nurses needed to replace those who will be retiring within this decade. The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW) was engaged in numerous state and national activities that took place over the past fiscal year. Due to a strong commitment by the CCNW Board of Directors, Council of Deans & Directors, Healthcare Simulation Network of Connecticut (HSNCT), and Staff & Nurse Consultants; CCNW was able to innovate, coordinate, and impact the nursing workforce in Connecticut and across the country.   Wednesday, September 27th at 12:00pm ET
Free webinar, registration required With the proposal of a historic federal staffing mandate for nursing homes, many are looking at caps on agency staffing to level the playing field for recruiting nurses and aides. However, even if new legislation passes in your state, it won't take effect overnight, nor will it provide a cure-all for the staffing issues plaguing our industry. In fact, introducing rate caps in the midst of a federal staffing mandate may create a whole new set of challenges. In this timely webinar, we will assess the current landscape of rate caps, their potential impact on your facility, and provide actionable strategies for maintaining adequate staffing levels without overpaying agencies. Register for this webinar to learn:
 The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. (CCNW) is so very proud to introduce the Officers and Members of the CCNW Board of Directors for 2023-24.
This esteemed group of nursing and healthcare professionals is one of the most diverse boards ever to be assembled representing leaders from academe and practice, medicine, non-profit management and seasoned healthcare stakeholders. The professional accomplishments both individually and collectively will help propel the organization forward by identifying organizational goals which will then inform the creation of a new strategic plan for 2023-25. The nominations process was totally transformed to adopt best-practice Board Policies and Practices led by the previous Board Chair, Dr. Lisa Sundean. The process began with conducting a gap analysis of talents, skills and competencies; identifying healthcare and nursing leaders that could fill these gaps; connecting with individuals to apply for open board positions; conducting interviews with candidates to determine competencies and "fit"; as well as, to secure their commitment and active engagement with the CCNW and its mission that is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of Connecticut residents. Meet our leadership team!  The RN and LPN data were extracted from the 2022 Connecticut Nurse Licensure System Dataset collected by the CT Department of Public Health. The data was collected through the online NurSys Annual Licensing Database using the Minimum Data Set for Nursing Supply, created by the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. CCNW and CTData are excited to highlight findings from this comprehensive dataset, its implications for Connecticut, and key recommendations to ensure that Connecticut establishes a robust and sustainable nursing workforce. This data story focuses on nurses who are licensed in Connecticut and who are actively working in the state.
Notes about the Minimum Data Set for Nursing Supply data:
 CCNW's 43rd Annual RN STUDENT DAY
Register today for the CCNW 43rd Annual RN Student Day to be held on November 7, 2023 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT. $55 per person. This day was planned especially for YOU! Our full-day event providing breakfast and a sit-down lunch offers RN students the opportunity for professional development and networking to positively position yourself for a successful career in nursing! Registrations can be coordinated in TWO ways:
Workshop - How Burnt-Out Healthcare Leaders Can Reclaim Their Personal Life Without Feeling Guilty9/5/2023  2-hour workshop entitled How Burnt-Out Healthcare Leaders Can Reclaim Their Personal Life Without Feeling Guilty. 2 ANCC continuing education credits. The cost is $97.00 including workbook.
Healthcare leader this is your chance to overcome burnout, advance at work in the face of adversity, and have a thriving personal life. If you’re like most healthcare leaders, we work with you’re a high achiever and a servant leader too. You want to make a positive lasting impact, so you keep pushing through each day and giving more and more attention to your work responsibilities because you don’t want to fail or let anyone down, but you end up sacrificing your personal life and feeling less and less effective every day.  Last month the National Fund hosted the Frontline Focused: Building a Thriving and Equitable Workplace in-person session to close out CareerSTAT’s recent webinar series focused on recruiting and retaining untapped talent, such as immigrants and refugees, people with conviction records, and other under-serviced populations. This intimate, two-day meeting brought together healthcare employers and workforce practitioners to explore ways to create change in their organizations.
Attendees were enthusiastic to get to work and were eager to learn, share, and connect with their peers. The energy in the room was that of hope, respect, and a commitment to develop a truly thriving workforce for healthcare workers. Integrating Population Health Competencies into Practice, Academia, and the Nursing Workforce Webinar on October 26, 2023, 2:00-3:00 pm (ET), will feature guest speakers: Marcia B. Proto, MEd, CAS, Executive Director, Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. and Catherine E. Johnson, PhD, RN, CNE, APHN-BC, RA, CPH, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Pacific College of Health and Sciences. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from these two nursing workforce leaders.
Webinar Details Learn more about population health initiatives deployed across the state of Connecticut from 2021-2023 in the areas of practice, academia, and the nursing workforce. Discover programs and strategies that can help to accelerate local efforts to meet population health needs. Objectives:
Can't make the webinar? Watch the recording of the webinar, available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
The webinar with Drs. Marilyn H. Oermann and Jennie De Gagne, A Few Best Practices for Teaching in Nursing, is now available for you to watch! CCNW support the CT Nurses’ Association 2023 Legislative Agenda. Kim Sandor and her team have done a great job to identify the key issues to promote during this year’s legislative session! It is amazing that all of the CCNW initiatives fall into the “priority” list for the state! To view the more information, please follow this link:
https://ctnurses.org/page-18287 Although CCNW received notification in May 2023 that our proposal was NOT funded…. for the first time… CCNW submitted a proposal as the sole lead applicant!!! This was a Federal DOL Grant to Support Nurse Expansion by Preparing Nurses to become Instructors and Educators through providing free tuition for our online faculty-led courses and funding for academic-practice Joint Appointments. During the 60-month grant period, CCNW requested $2.8 million for:
Addressed the Aging of CT’s Nursing Workforce through Data Gathering and Analysis- Gained insights into understanding the CT Nursing Workforce by utilizing the national Minimum Data Sets for EDUCATION and SUPPLY. The Minimum Data Sets (MDSs) are created by the National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Centers.
Once again, CCNW was a lead sponsor of the National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Center’s Annual Conference that took place in Washington, DC on June 12-14, 2023. For the third year, Marcia Proto was an integral member of the Conference Planning Committee securing sponsors for the national event, as well as confirming Rebecca Love to be the keynote speaker of the Conference. In addition, CCNW continued its five-year tradition of being podium presenters.
On April 5, 2023 CCNW hosted our Statewide Nursing & Healthcare Workforce Summit on ground at the Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT!
Marcia Proto, Executive Director of the CCNW, attended a 2-day Retreat for Executive Directors of Nursing Workforce Centers across the country hosted by the National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Centers on January 9-11, 2023.
CCNW received $300,000 in funding from the Eva Sterns Faulkner Foundation to create an online faculty led Full-Time Nurse Faculty Preparation Course to support the development of well-prepared nursing faculty. The Course offers 6 weeks of faculty-led coursework and (6) hours of Coaching support during the semester.
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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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