Collaborations between educational institutions and health systems can create tremendous impact, particularly in underserved areas. Such is the success story unfolding in Craven County, North Carolina, where Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System have joined forces to address a local health care workforce shortage. The collaboration kicked off in 2018, motivated by a rising demand for trained health care professionals in rural areas like Craven County. This initiative comes in the wake of challenges such as high rates of poverty, an aging population, and prevalent health issues including cancer, heart disease, and drug overdoses.
The Challenge of Health Care Employment in Rural Areas
Craven County’s health care system faces unique obstacles common to rural regions. Limited economic resources and an aging population put a strain on health services. Compounding these issues are the prevalent health risks and high mortality rates, necessitating a robust healthcare workforce. Local reports from 2023 underscored the critical need for behavioral health services, community wellness programs, and workforce development, fueling the partnership between Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System. Recognizing these needs, leaders from CarolinaEast approached Craven Community College with an urgent proposition in 2018. The college faced budgetary constraints and lacked faculty to expand its nursing program. However, this partnership was about to change the landscape.
Partnering for a Solution: Initial Steps
The collaboration started with CarolinaEast Health System offering an initial $150,000 grant to Craven Community College. This grant allowed the hiring of a crucial full-time nursing instructor, which substantially boosted the college’s capacity. With this financial support, the college was able to enroll 16 more Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students and six more Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) students. Encouraged by the initial results, the health system provided a second grant of $336,000 over two years, enabling the college to hire additional faculty and further expand its program offerings. This second phase included creating a spring entry cohort and increasing the number of transition students, significantly enhancing the college’s educational footprint.
Expanding Nursing Programs: Efforts and Outcomes
The enhanced funding translated into tangible growth. Between 2021 and 2024, Craven Community College saw a marked increase in ADN and LPN graduates. As enrollment surged, the college began to receive more state funding, supporting the expansion even after the initial grants ended. This financial self-sufficiency is a testament to the partnership’s effectiveness. Furthermore, the collaboration extended beyond nursing. The partners tackled shortages in surgical technology roles by launching an accelerated nine-month workforce development program, bypassing the traditionally longer degree courses. A part-time LPN program was also introduced for hospital employees, featuring flexible class schedules to accommodate working professionals.
Diversifying Health Care Training Programs
Beyond nursing, the partnership between Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System extended to other critical areas. For instance, new training initiatives in surgical technology addressed the pressing need for skilled surgical technologists by offering an expedited nine-month program. This pragmatic approach helped fill positions more quickly than traditional, longer-degree programs could. The college also launched a part-time LPN program, specifically aimed at current hospital employees who sought to further their education. Evening and weekend classes made it feasible for these employees to pursue an LPN diploma without disrupting their work schedules. 2023 saw the introduction of a training program for environmental services and housekeeping staff, focusing on sanitizing hospital rooms to prevent infections.
Benefits: A Win-Win Scenario
The partnership has yielded numerous benefits. For health systems, by aligning academic programs with existing vacancy needs, the health system achieved a better staff complement. Moreover, offering their employees professional development opportunities improved overall retention rates significantly. For academic institutions, Craven Community College could swiftly respond to local health care demands, resulting in increased enrollment and bolstered state funding, all while fostering a reputation for practical, high-demand training programs. For students and employees, they received practical training experiences and employer support for their education, which often included financial backing. For the community, reliable, locally trained health care professionals now populate the health system, ensuring more stable and accessible care for residents.
Key Stakeholders and Their Roles
The success of this partnership hinged on the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders. Craven Community College’s senior administration, health sciences deans and directors, nursing faculty, and public information officers all played pivotal roles. CarolinaEast Health System’s administration, human resources department, Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Mission Effectiveness, and Nursing Student Coordinator were instrumental in aligning the program’s goals with the health system’s needs. Effective communication and board representation facilitated mutual understanding and problem-solving, ensuring the partnership’s smooth functioning.
Lessons Learned from the Partnership
Several key lessons emerged from this collaborative effort. Overcommunication proved crucial; regular, open lines of communication helped resolve issues quickly and fostered a collaborative environment for brainstorming innovative solutions. Board representation facilitated mutual understanding and seamless problem-solving, vital for maintaining alignment between academic and clinical needs. The partnership also highlighted the importance of creative solutions to logistical challenges, such as accommodating growing student cohorts within existing facilities and timelines. Continual assessment of program effectiveness and outcomes ensured that the evolving health care needs of the community were consistently met. The partnership’s dynamic approach and willingness to adapt provided a robust model for addressing workforce shortages in other regions.
Conclusion
Collaborations between educational institutions and health systems can have a significant impact, particularly in underserved regions. A prime example is the ongoing success story in Craven County, North Carolina. Here, Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System have teamed up to tackle a shortage of health care workers. Launching their partnership in 2018, they were driven by a growing need for well-trained health care professionals, especially in rural areas such as Craven County. This initiative has taken on even greater importance given the local challenges, including high poverty rates, an aging population, and pervasive health issues like cancer, heart disease, and drug overdoses. Such socioeconomic and health-related challenges exacerbate the necessity for a robust health care workforce. By joining forces, Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System aim to shore up the health care infrastructure in Craven County, ensuring that residents have better access to quality medical care. These types of collaborations can serve as a blueprint for other communities facing similar challenges. By addressing both educational and health care needs in a targeted way, they can create sustainable improvements. This combined effort not only helps to fill immediate job vacancies but also builds a pipeline of future health care professionals who are equipped to meet the specific needs of their community.
