On September 26, 2024, the Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition (formerly known as the Pennsylvania Action Coalition) hosted a successful and engaging breakfast at the 2024 Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL) Annual Leadership Conference in Harrisburg, PA. The pre-conference event marked the unveiling of the PA Nursing Workforce Coalition’s (PA-NWC) new strategic plan and the introduction of its key initiatives, aimed at advancing the nursing profession in the state.
The Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders host an annual Nursing Leadership Conference in Harrisburg, PA. This year's conference cutting-edge issues that were critical to the success of today's nursing leaders. Speakers from across the country who are experts in their fields came together to stimulate attendees to explore innovative approaches to workplace challenges.
PONL's primary mission is to be a vehicle for networking and information exchange amongst its members.
The breakfast event featured a presentation from the PA-NWC Team that informed and inspired attendees, with a strong focus on the PA-NWC’s new strategic direction. The PA-NWC emphasized its commitment to three major initiatives:
The presentation received positive feedback, with participants finding the information valuable and relevant to their professional practice. The variety of speakers and perspectives contributed to a well-rounded discussion.
A highlight of the event was the interactive roundtable discussions, where attendees shared insights and ideas to enhance the Coalition’s initiatives. Roundtable discussion topics included:
Reimagining Public Policy through Data: Attendees discussed ways to integrate nursing into public policy by creating annual “state of the state” reports and expanding engagement through community events like health fairs and schools. Ideas also included introducing policy education to nursing students and mentoring leaders to run for public office, ensuring that nursing professionals play an active role in shaping policy.
Bolstering Nursing Workforce Pathways: Discussions focused on strengthening the nursing pipeline through youth engagement programs, such as Geisinger’s Aim HI and Allegheny Health Network’s Young Scholars. Participants emphasized the importance of providing financial support, internships, and clinical opportunities to students, while also addressing barriers like limited rotations and nursing school closures.
Embracing Diversity through Equitable Solutions: Roundtable discussions emphasized the need to build a diverse and equitable nursing workforce. Attendees highlighted the importance of engaging underrepresented communities through local organizations, schools, health fairs, and churches to raise awareness of nursing careers. Mentorship was also seen as key, with participants advocating for more support for individuals from diverse backgrounds in nursing education and practice.
Suggestions included partnering with academic institutions to create programs that support underrepresented students and offering scholarships, internships, and financial support to attract diverse talent. Participants also noted the need for inclusive environments in both educational and clinical settings to retain diverse nurses.
Networking and collaboration were central to the event’s success, with many attendees expressing that the interactive and community-driven format allowed for valuable exchanges of ideas. The Q&A session sparked engaging discussions, further enhancing the event’s impact. Overall, participants felt the event provided not only valuable insight into the PA-NWC's future but also a forum for fostering connections and advancing the collective goals of the nursing profession.
