With funding from cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, the initiative will identify and train experienced clinical nursing staff to serve as adjunct faculty. Participants will attend clinical faculty boot camps starting in the summer of 2025 to prepare for hands-on clinical training roles for nursing students.

According to Corbyn Martz,Director of the healthcare Sector Partnership,New Bridge Cleveland,Cuyahoga County Workforce Connect,”We are addressing a critical barrier to expanding the nursing workforce: the shortage of qualified clinical faculty. By utilizing the extraordinary talent already present in our hospitals and schools, this initiative creates a connection between education and practice,” He added, “It serves as a strong example of what can be achieved when health systems, educators, and workforce partners collaborate to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.”

The initiative began in 2024 as a response to clinical faculty shortages. The Healthcare Sector Partnership, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals collaborated with 16 regional schools of nursing to create the program’s foundation.

Lisa baszynski, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Executive Director, Associate Chief Nursing officer, Nursing Education and Professional Progress at Cleveland Clinic, stated, “This initiative is bringing everyone to the table to build a sustainable solution to a national challenge,” and emphasized, “It’s not just about filling roles – it’s about transforming how we prepare the next generation of nurses.”

The primary focus is on increasing the number of nurse educators as the first phase of a long-term strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce, especially for hard-to-fill roles, using sustainable solutions.

Holly Ma, DNP, MS, RN, NPD-BC, Marian Shaughnessy Endowed Vice President of Nursing Professional Development, Practice and Research at University Hospitals, said, “This collaboration with practice and academic partners aims not only to increase the number of available nursing clinical adjunct faculty, but also to enhance the quality of education delivered.”

Key goals of the initiative include:

• Expanding nursing school capacity by increasing the number of qualified clinical faculty.
• Reducing student waitlists and enabling increased enrollment in nursing programs.
• Expanding clinical rotation capacity at Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
• Addressing burnout by distributing faculty responsibilities across a larger pool of educators.

Upcoming Boot Camp Dates:

• Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – Cleveland Clinic Independence family Health Center
• Tuesday, July 22, 2025 – University Hospitals Management Services Center (Shaker Heights)
• Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – cleveland clinic independence Family Health Center

The healthcare Sector Partnership collaborates with hospitals in Cuyahoga County, workforce development, and education to address talent needs. Partners include Cleveland Clinic, University hospitals, MetroHealth, and Southwest General, coordinated by New Bridge Cleveland and New Growth Group.

For more information, visit https://cchsp.org/initiatives/nursing-clinical-adjunct-faculty/.