January 2024

2024: Looking Forward

Every year at this time we stop and look at the future of nursing in Colorado. As with most years, 2024 will be filled with exciting opportunities and many challenges to support the future of nursing.

Recently the Center completed a direct care workforce snapshot of the current workforce and expected retirements moving forward in Colorado. The concerning reality of that report is the aging of our workforce not only in nursing but also in medicine. The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers annual leadership retreat is this month and I suspect that once again, every state will report a similar situation.

Too many expert nurses are retiring. Too few nurses to take their places. Too few faculty to teach our next generation. Too much competition for adequate clinical placements. All that along with concerns about how we teach critical thinking skills to nursing students so they are competent to provide safe care as a novice on day one.

These are big challenges, but we can’t address the problems until they are identified. The good news is that here are solutions and right now we have the ear of policy makers. Workforce is not always the most exciting subject, so it gets ignored, but there is no ignoring now.

We are excited to share that our Leadership Diversity Conference is returning in 2024 - "Transforming Nursing Through Leadership, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging". The team is in planning mode so keep your eyes open for more details including the keynote speaker lineup. This year's conference is shaping up to be informative and full of impactful ideas with a focus on creating actionable solutions to some of the challenges facing us as we redesign a nursing workforce that is representative of our communities. New in 2024 will be a Bias Busters pre-conference workshop on Thursday, November 7 and the conference will be held on Friday, November 8 at the Parker Arts, Culture & Events Center (PACE). Mark you calendar and save the date.

Additionally, the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers (National Forum) is excited to host the 2024 Annual Conference, “Accelerating Nursing Workforce Solutions: Innovative Programs and Data to Transform Policy” on June 17-19, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, CA. The conference is open for abstracts. Last year Colorado had a wonderful showing from around the state. Visit the website to submit an abstract and read more. Abstracts are due February 9. I look forward to hearing all about your work at what is sure to be a great conference!

Thank you for all you do! Enjoy every day and be safe!

Ingrid Johnson DNP, MPP, RN, FAAN

President and CEO

SAVE THE DATE

November 8, 2024

Details Coming Soon!

We hope you will join us as we explore "Transforming Nursing Through Leadership, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging"

Nurse Refresher News

We are excited to announce that the Nurse Refresher Courses saw a remarkable 68% increase in enrollment for 2023, compared to the previous year!

With 150 students spread across five comprehensive courses, the surge in interest underscores the growing demand for refresher programs in the nursing field. Designed to support professionals re-entering the workforce or seeking to update their skills, these courses offer a vital bridge to renewed confidence and competence.

One standout aspect of this success is the diverse geographical representation of the student body, with participants hailing from 15 different states. This speaks to the nationwide recognition of the high-quality education provided by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence. These programs are all available online.

Additionally, the success of these courses is attributed to a combination of factors, including a robust curriculum, experienced, accessible staff and faculty, and the flexibility of online learning.

Beyond individual career growth, these programs contribute significantly to addressing the increasing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.

If you or someone you know is contemplating a return to nursing or wishes to update their skills, the Nurse Refresher Courses offer a valuable pathway. Explore the available courses on our website to take the first step toward returning to a fulfilling and impactful career in nursing.

Volunteering Opportunity

Join the National Association of

Hispanic Nurses, Vuela for Health

and other community partners providing free health screenings, resources, and more at a Community Health Fair!

Members of the Center staff will support this program by volunteering to support our communities.

February 4, 2024 - 10:30am - 3:30PM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

1209 W 36th Ave. Denver, CO 80211

If you are available to support this event please contact NAHN.

Join the Conversation

Do you think the public understands nurses' indispensable role and expertise on the health care team? We don't think so either.

Join us in having your voice valued and heard as Colorado charts the path for the Future of Nursing to address this and more. As a member of one of our Strategic Advisory Committees, you will have the opportunity for professional development that includes networking and gaining experience that can help you secure future board seats, etc. What are you passionate about?

Join a Strategic Advisory Committee that sparks your passion! Visit our COAC Webpage to learn more.

IMPACT: Rural Nurse Practitioner Behavioral Health Program

On average, each of the PMHNPs the Center has supported over the past four years is now providing 115 behavioral health appointments each month that did not exist before all their hard work and dedication to complete their schooling. That is over 50,000 NEW accessible appointments each year for Colorado!

THANK YOU Behavioral Health Fellows for all you do!

Learn more about this impactful program HERE.