MCC Holds Summit to Address Critical Shortage of Nurse Educators and Health Care Professionals
August 23, 2023
WHAT: The critical shortage of skilled health care professionals is causing a ripple effect not only in hospitals and clinics but in classrooms locally and nationwide. Qualified nurse educators are in high demand at a time when the need for certified nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses continues growing.
To address the shortage of nurse educators in the Finger Lakes region, Monroe Community College will host “Working Together to Overcome the Local Health Care Workforce Crisis: Pipeline and Education,” a daylong summit convening representatives across industry, academia and government to explore creating a sustainable model that addresses barriers within the health care sector. Local health care executives will participate in panel discussions and breakout sessions to collaboratively discuss, develop and deliver a plan to address the workforce crisis. Results and findings from the summit will be documented in a report and shared with all summit attendees.
Marcia Lynch, Ed.D., director of health care programs at MCC’s Downtown Campus, dressed in a gold-striped black coat and posing in front of a floral backdrop.
Faculty shortage means limited student capacity in training programs, exacerbating the staffing shortages in the nursing profession, said Marcia Lynch, Ed.D., director of health care programs at MCC’s Downtown Campus.
MCC is working with Finger Lakes regional entities ─ including University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester School of Nursing, and Rochester Regional Health ─ to find creative, sustainable ways to overcome the educator shortage and provide an increased number of highly skilled health care professionals. Currently, health care professionals teach at MCC on their own time.
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Rochester, 125 E. Main St.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25
DETAILS:
8:45-10 a.m. — Panel discussion 1: Current local health care workforce challenges
10:15-11 a.m. — Panel discussion 2: Professionals from outside the area discuss successful health care workforce strategies in their communities
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Attendees break out into assigned groups facilitated by panelists
1-2 p.m. – Groups reconvene as a whole to discuss plans and next steps
Fast Facts About MCC’s Health Care Education Programs:
- MCC offers training and professional development, bridge programs, and test preparation workshops as well as financial assistance and social support for individuals pursuing careers as CNAs, LPNs and RNs. Social support through MCC and program partners includes emergency grants that may help pay for food, housing, bus transportation, and other basic living expenses.
- On average, about 85 percent of participants in MCC’s CNA program are single parents, predominantly single mothers.
- Visit MCC’s website to learn more or to register: https://workforceforward.com/professional-development/