CCNW 42nd Annual RN Student Day

The 2022 RN Student Day was held virtually to prepare seniors to transition into the healthcare workforce.  Over 900 graduating RN students participated.
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Our comprehensive event offers RN students the opportunity for collaboration and professional development. Students network with healthcare organizations related to employment opportunities, education institutions related to continued education, and network with their peers to
positively position themselves for a successful career in nursing. 

This day was planned especially for the graduating RN Student!
The two-day event providing RN students the opportunity for professional development and networking to positively position themselves for a successful career in nursing!
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THE AGENDA INCLUDED

• Keynote Speaker - Justin Drew, MSN, RN, NEA-BC "Transition to Practice: Pride, Possibility & Perspective"
• Keynote Speaker - Janice Watts, "How Do I Get There From Here?"
• Session - Student Nurse to Practicing Nurse … Now What? with Facilitator Patricia Bouffard
• Over 40 Pre-Recorded Flash Talks & Fire Talks focused on the needs and concerns of RNs
• Session - Nursing Graduates: Catalysts for the Future with Facilitator Marcia Proto.
• Graduate RN Student Panel Presentation- Hear from recent RN graduates about their job search and interview process, onboarding programs, and gain insights related to the “Secret Sauce” strategies for successful transition to practice.
• Student & Faculty Peer Recognition Award Ceremony- To recognize an outstanding senior nursing student from each RN school (one from each senior cohort) who has been selected by his/her peers. Selection includes: Ability to provide competent and compassionate care; Accountability for personal and professional behavior & growth; Demonstrates leadership and respect for all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, values and beliefs; and Ability to work as an integral team member whether in school or in the community.  The recognized student then identifies one Faculty/Staff member who has supported them and made a profound impact on their educational journey.
• Virtual Exhibit Hall Opportunities -  Network with healthcare organizations related to future employment opportunities, education institutions related to continued education, and organizations who support nurses throughout their careers!
• RN Student Day Virtual Social & Closing Remarks

Highlights from 2022 RN Student Day

RN Student Peer Recognition & Faculty Award Celebration

Keynote Session, Day One.  Justin Drew, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Keynote Session, Day Two.  Janice Watts, MSN

Keynote Speakers

Justin Drew, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

KEYNOTE: ​Transition to Practice: Pride, Possibility & Perspective

​Justin graduated with a bachelor's degree in Illustrative Photography from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1998.  In 2000, Justin graduated with a bachelor's degree in Nursing from Syracuse University's College of Nursing.  In 2012, he received a graduate certification from the University of Minnesota's College of Nursing for Leadership in health information technology for health professionals.  Justin worked in a variety of settings as a direct care nurse including; pediatrics, surgical ICU, inpatient medical/surgical, inpatient behavioral health, and hospice.  He has been at Middlesex Health for 15 years in various leadership roles.  Those roles have included the Manager of a 30-bed inpatient unit, Clinical Director of a moderate sized homecare department, and Director of the Middlesex Health Cancer Center for the past 6 years. Justin got his master’s degree in nursing with a focus on leadership in 2016 from the University of Hartford.  Justin is the Immediate Past President of the Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL) representing over 1,000 nurse leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, as well as the current Chair of the ONL Foundation.

Janice Watts

Keynote: ​How Do I Get There From Here?"

​Janice was born in 1954 in Waltham Massachusetts. She was very fortunate to grow up on Cape Cod. 

She received her RN Diploma from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1975. In 1992 she attained her Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from the University of Hartford. In 2002 she received her Master’s in Nursing, also from the University of Hartford.

Jan spent the first 30 years of her practice in the field of Long-Term Care. Her love of elder care served her well as she had a variety of positions within the industry. Starting off as a staff nurse, she went on to become the youngest Nurse Manager of the Chronic Disease Hospital at the Hebrew Home and Hospital until she had her first child. Returning to the Hebrew Home she held a variety of positions including evening Supervisor, Staff development, and returned to a Nurse Manager position before leaving after 17 years. From there she worked at Mount St. Vincent Nursing Home where she was the Director of Nursing from 1992-1999. Through the support of her mentor, she moved on to become the Vice President of Patient Care at Masonic in Wallingford from 1999-2004.

In 2004 her career took a major turn as she entered the arena of education. She began as faculty at Goodwin College in 2004 and became the program director for the ADN program in 2006. She recently retired in April of 2021 as the Associate Dean of Nursing. In her 17-year tenure there she oversaw the development of an RN-BSN program, as well as an MSN program which later included Psychiatric and Medical Nurse Practitioner programs.

She is very proud to have worked every year since graduating as an RN but is equally happy to have retired!!!

Her passions include mentoring novice nurses, elder care, teaching conflict resolution and supporting her family.

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