Tri-C Dean Addresses Nursing Shortage on Ideastream

Wendy Batch-Wilson discusses ways to introduce students to profession and opportunities in the field

Wendy Batch-Wilson, DNP, dean of the Nursing Center of Excellence at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), recently discussed the trend of nurses leaving the field on Ideastream’s The Sound of Ideas.

In 2023, the Ohio Nurses Association declared a “code red” due to the ongoing nursing shortage in the state. The shortage is largely blamed on the pandemic and the burnout nurses felt from the long hours and an overwhelming number of patients.

Batch-Wilson addressed several key points, including nursing graduates’ role in addressing staffing challenges and the importance of early introductions to the nursing profession. She emphasized the need for K-12 programs and campus visits to spark interest among students. Batch-Wilson also said exposing students early to nursing and health care careers can help them stay engaged in the profession.

Batch-Wilson suggested that individuals are often drawn to nursing by a genuine desire to help others. Qualities like integrity, morals and ethics within nursing are just as important as the physical and knowledge-based aspects of the profession.

The potential for opportunities within nursing is endless, she said. Tri-C’s career ladder program allows students to pursue certifications for State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) while on track for an associate degree. The program streamlines education and provides a path to advance from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.

Watch the full interview on the Ideastream Public Media website.

January 29, 2024

By Dylanne Weese, 216-987-4281 or dylanne.weese@tri-c.edu