Sponsored content provided by Jack Watson, Dean, College of Health and Human Services, UNC Wilmington

In December 2023, the New Hanover Community Endowment awarded UNC Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services, Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools, and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce $22.3 million to address critical healthcare workforce shortages in our region. Recognizing the complexity of the issue, this alliance was formed to leverage our strengths and perspectives in a coordinated effort.

Our initiative began in the fall of 2021 with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce (WCC) facilitating discussions among local employers, academic institutions, and community stakeholders to tackle the nursing workforce shortage.  This led to the formation of a focused group which met to analyze employment, education, and retention data. These conversations revealed systemic issues surrounding student recruitment and retention, education and training, and retaining nurse talent in the region. 

Data from various sources, including the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and local vacancy reports, underscored the severity of the nursing shortage not only locally but also statewide and nationally. Projections indicated a significant deficit in registered nurses by 2033, particularly affecting hospitals and long-term care facilities. Locally, a substantial portion of nursing graduates from UNC Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services (UNCW CHHS) left the region for employment, exacerbating shortages. Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) experienced low retention rates of first-year students whose life circumstances prevented them from continuing their education. 

In response, the partner organizations proposed a comprehensive, multi-year, and system-based solution. This plan involved collaborative efforts from New Hanover County Schools in developing career pathways, CFCC and UNCW CHHS in enhancing nursing education and support services, and WCC in managing the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Management Initiative. Year one focuses on strategic planning and stakeholder engagement; year two involves program development and initial implementation; and year three emphasizes full-scale implementation, evaluation, and sustainability planning. Key strategies include healthcare career exploration programs for high school students, scholarships, enhancing student support services like test preparation and career mentoring, and coordinating efforts to retain graduates within New Hanover County. Throughout this process, the partners are closely collaborating with the New Hanover Community Endowment to ensure alignment with community needs and long-term viability.

The challenges ahead include coordinating diverse stakeholders, addressing competing priorities, and managing expectations. Effective communication and community support will be crucial as we navigate these complexities. Our goal is to consistently facilitate ongoing dialogue and manage potential issues, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the initiative.

Our partnership represents a commitment to developing a sustainable healthcare workforce shortage solution in New Hanover County, a problem that is plaguing the entire nation. By pooling resources, expertise, and community support, we aim to create lasting change that enhances healthcare delivery and supports economic growth. As a result, this initiative will not only address immediate shortages, but will build – and maintain – a resilient healthcare workforce prepared to meet future growth and demand. Together we make a difference! We invite you to follow our journey at uncw.edu/htp.
 

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Jack C. Watson, Ph.D., is the dean of the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, named in June 2023. In May 2023, he completed a year-long fellowship with the American Council on Education at the University of Kentucky. From 2019-22 he served as dean of West Virginia University’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and previously served as associate dean, assistant dean and chair of the Department of Sport Sciences. 

Watson earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and post-doctoral respecialization in Counseling and School Psychology from Florida State University. He received a Master of Science in Sport Behavior from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia.

The College of Health and Human Services was established in 2010 as a doorway for the University of North Carolina Wilmington to make a positive impact on the health and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities in Southeastern North Carolina and beyond. It has approximately 227 permanent staff and faculty and currently enrolls approximately 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students in 18 degree programs. To learn more about the College of Health and Human Services, please visit uncw.edu/chhs. Questions and comments can be sent to [email protected].