Initiative Aims to Recruit and Train More Nurse Educators, Reduce Student Waitlists

Facing a critical shortage of nursing clinical adjunct faculty, several Northeast Ohio organizations have come together to solve the challenge by recruiting, training and supporting experienced nurses to become part-time clinical instructors. Led by the Cuyahoga County Healthcare Sector Partnership in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, the program aims to reduce student waitlists and support increased enrollment in nursing programs.

Funded by Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, the new Nursing Clinical Adjunct Faculty Initiative will draw from the health systems’ experienced clinical nursing staff to identify and train individuals to serve as adjunct faculty. Participants will attend intensive clinical faculty boot camps to prepare for teaching roles that support hands-on clinical training for nursing students.

“We are addressing a critical barrier to expanding the nursing workforce: the shortage of qualified clinical faculty. By utilizing the exceptional talent already present in our hospitals and schools, this initiative creates a connection between education and practice,” explains Corbyn Martz, Director of the Healthcare Sector Partnership, New Bridge Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Workforce Connect. “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.”

Building blocks

Efforts to develop the program began in 2024 as a collaborative response to clinical faculty shortages in nursing education. The Healthcare Sector Partnership, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals teamed up to engage 16 regional schools of nursing, creating the foundation for the program.

“This initiative is bringing everyone to the table to build a sustainable solution to a national challenge,” says Lisa Baszynski, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Executive Director, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Education and Professional Development at Cleveland Clinic. “It’s not just about filling roles — it’s about transforming how we prepare the next generation of nurses by expanding clinical seat capacity, strengthening the quality of instruction and creating professional opportunities for nurses across the region.”

Although the program’s current focus is increasing the number of nurse educators, Baszynski notes this is just the first phase of a long-term strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce.

Seeking solutions

“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,” says Holly Ma, DNP, MS, RN, NPD-BC, Marian Shaughnessy Endowed Vice President of Nursing Professional Development, Practice and Research at University Hospitals.

The Healthcare Sector Partnership is a collaboration among hospitals in Cuyahoga County. It works with partners in workforce development and education to address both short- and long-term talent needs. In addition to Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, the partnership includes MetroHealth and Southwest General and is coordinated by New Bridge Cleveland and New Growth Group.

To learn more about the Nursing Clinical Adjunct Faculty Initiative, including eligibility and registration, visit https://cchsp.org/initiatives/nursing-clinical-adjunct-faculty/.