ENHP Leads Conversation on Nursing and Teaching Professions

As a leader in nursing and teacher preparation programs in Connecticut, the University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions tackled topics of recruitment and retention with experts from across the state March 27.

Dean Cesarina Thompson led a panel discussion entitled “Not-So-Quiet Quitting: Strategies for keeping teachers and nurses employed, engaged, and satisfied" in Wilde Auditorium. Noting that both industries share many similarities, Thompson says the state must quickly and efficiently implement solutions to workforce shortages in both areas. 

ENHP prepares students for their career paths, but Thompson also wants to ensure they’re successful and happy when they begin working, even long past graduation. That means partnering with local employers, sharing ideas, and bringing the conversation to a wider audience, as ENHP did this week. 

“UHart is unique in its position because both programs are housed in one college,” Thompson told the panel and audience. “Through conversations with students, professionals, and partners, we can share experiences to promote collaboration and problem-solving. There are growing demands on workers, and some of the factors causing a shortage today predate the pandemic.”

Featured panelists included Norwalk Hospital President and CEO Peter Cordeau ’M09, Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Trinity Health of New England Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Zapatka, Meriden Public Schools Superintendent Mark Benigni M'96, D'01, and Louis Bronk, assistant superintendent for personnel and talent development for Meriden Public Schools. Cordeau, Zapatka, and Benigni are also on ENHP’s Board of Visitors.

Multiple panelists agreed retention is more difficult for first-year staff members. The jobs become overwhelming quickly, especially in school districts with high needs and in hospitals.

“Now we have residency programs to onboard nurses over a longer period of time,” said Cordeau. “Their first full year, they have a residency program with the ultimate goal of retention.” 

Benigni and Bronk said that while teachers might not be quitting to leave the profession, they are going to other districts, often for higher compensation. The Meriden district is offering opportunities to register for leadership academies and professional development, teach a different grade level, and earn supplemental income by coaching teams or leading clubs.

“They want to give back and feel like they’re making a difference every day,” Benigni added. “And just like we celebrate students for their success, we make sure to celebrate teachers in that way as well.”

Zapatka championed high levels of engagement from leadership, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion, while Torres-Rodriguez added that more communication and balance is needed, especially for new teachers.