Healthcare Career Partnership – Building a Stable Nursing Workforce
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
The Healthcare Career Partnership (HCP) is a collaboration between Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, and UNC Wilmington, funded by the New Hanover Community Endowment. The collaborative’s mission is to address the nursing workforce shortage by building a sustainable talent pipeline of individuals committed to living and working in SENC.
HCP employs a dynamic systems model integrating inputs, throughputs, and outputs to align educational, workforce, and community systems to increase nursing program completion and graduate retention to the region. The initiative features innovative pipeline and pathway programs beginning in 5th grade and is supported by a robust data tracking system that informs continuous improvement.
A key innovation is Try Teal, a bridge program allowing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students at CFCC to take two free courses at UNCW toward their BSN. Successful participants gain admission to the RN-BSN program, accelerating their academic and career advancement, increasing early engagement with the university, while reducing the overall cost of their degree.
The Coastal Community Healthcare Fellowship (CCHF) provides academic support, mentorship, community building, and wraparound services to students at both CFCC and UNCW. It also trains students to serve as peer and near peer mentors after graduation, creating a sustainable, student-led support network.
A cornerstone of HCP is its custom-built tracking system that enables researchers to monitor participant progress, identify potential barriers, predict persistence, and supports data-driven decision-making.
Through its partnership with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, HCP also engages local healthcare employers to better understand workforce needs and foster community connections that help recruit and retain nursing talent.
This poster outlines the major components of HCP and invites discussion on next steps to reduce healthcare workforce shortages.
