Recruit, Retain, and Shape the Nursing Workforce of the Future
Refine nursing education curriculum, focusing on specific strategies to increase student recruitment, retention, and success to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce for successful roles in clinical practice, education, research, and healthcare leadership.
Goal 1:Build on the College of Nursing’s mission to transform the lives of undergraduate, graduate, and global students
Actions/Metrics
Increase the number of enrolled underrepresented nursing students by 2%/yr
Increase undergraduate pre-nursing and nursing student retention rate by 2%/yr
Increase graduate program student enrollment by 2%
Maintain undergraduate NCLEX success and NP track board pass rates at 80%
Goal 2: Provide financial transparency reducing or removing barriers for students of various populations to apply, enroll, and succeed as students
Actions/Metrics
Maintain and disseminate communication that provides financial transparency to obtain a degree in nursing
Increase the number of students who utilize workstudy in the CON by 10%
Goal 3:Foster modern pedagogy by aligning College of Nursing programs to enhance experiential learning experiences across faculty, staff, and students
Actions/Metrics
Develop a comprehensive faculty and staff development plan to enhance instructional practices
Develop an orientation program for new and adjunct faculty
Establish evidence-based experiential learning benchmarks for the undergraduate and graduate programs
Goal 4: Support comprehensive programs and services for students’ positive mental well-being
Actions/Metrics
Increase the utilization of the academic coaches by 10%/ yr
Implement one (1) culture assessment annually
Increase webinars/programs targeting the development of student health and wellness knowledge, awareness, and associated behavior
Establish stronger collaboration with other departments and programs to determine social services that they may offer to students
Goal 5: Define a target market that distinguishes CON as the destination for working adults wishing to complete their degrees, reskill, upskill, and advance earnings through industry-sponsored tuition and other payment models towards increasing enrollment.
Actions/Metrics
Collaborate with healthcare organizations to offer seminars or certificates through the College of Nursing
Establish stronger ties to military families to offer degree completion pathways
Goal 6: Prepare nursing students for a global and diverse workforce
Actions/Metrics
Develop and/or enhance student-focused learning experiences, focused on self-awareness, identity development, and understanding
Provide opportunities for development on topics examining implicit bias, global health issues, and social determinants of health
Establish an annual award to recognize an undergraduate or graduate student demonstrating excellence in cultural responsiveness during clinical practice or scholarship implementation
Objective 2
Building a Robust Community: Establishing the College of Nursing as a Change Agent in the St. Louis Area
The College of Nursing will be an impactful partner in the community by embracing positive transformation and maximizing strategic collaborations with the campus, alumni, and greater St. Louis community.
Goal 1: Implement strategies and policy changes to foster a healthy work-life
Actions/Metrics
Provide ongoing support to employees in implementing a flexible work arrangement
Provide workload opportunities for all faculty to receive flexible teaching schedules that incorporate online and face-to-face teaching opportunities
Goal 2: Fostering a renewed community by creating and expanding strategic communication efforts to establish campus partnerships with alumni and key external stakeholders
Actions/Metrics
Increase partnership and collaboration with community organizations to provide community education 2% annually
Utilize the Simulation Center as a community training center to provide a comprehensive program and interprofessional education
Continue to promote and expand social media prominence and engagement, highlighting students’ personal experiences and academic journey
Invite three (3) high schools and healthcare organizations to three (3) CON ceremonies annually
Goal 3:Collaborate with advancement and work with college partners and alumni to identify and develop financial resources through gifts, grants, and public-private partnerships
Actions/Metrics
Engage with the Innovations and Community Engagement committee to host community outreach volunteer events at least once a semester
Develop a contact list of the alumni and retirees and collaborate with the UMSL office of Alumni, and update q 6 months
Work with advancement to create a nursing alumni affinity group to increase engagement, elevate storytelling, and cultural philanthropy
Goal 4: Expand the nursing workforce by increasing the number of nursing professionals with evidence-based training in interdisciplinary settings through comprehensive partnerships for internships and practicum placements
Actions/Metrics
Develop a practice advisory board to enhance nursing education, promote excellence, and improve the health of the community
Explore and apply for scholarship and workforce grant opportunities annually
Identify clinical partners to develop programs that would support students with financial resources
Add at least two (2) new certificate programs based on market growth potential and workforce needs in the next 5 years
Objective 3
Generating New Knowledge, Caltivating Campus Community Stewardship and Vitality
Allocate resources to focus on the College’s mission and sustainable growth. Promote research and evidence-based practice by elevating knowledge and innovation in health promotion, health disparities, and disease management of residents in the St. Louis region and beyond.
Goal 1: Strengthen research capacity, support, and infrastructure to enhance participation in mentored research and funded workforce development.
Actions/Metrics
Maintain funding for one (1) evidence-based practice project, or (1) workforce development project at the local, regional, or federal level
Increase external grant submission by 2% per year
Increase the number of journal articles and scholarly dissemination by 2% per year.
Increase the number of faculty by 2% per year who have advanced professional certification for their area of expertise
Goal 2: Identify three (3) strategic health priorities that promote collaboration with other College of Nursing and Allied Health Programs in the St. Louis Region
Actions/Metrics
Develop a partnership with the allied health programs
Launch one (1) joint community outreach ( health fairs, screening, wellness checks) annually
Goal 3: Strengthen the infrastructure within the College of Nursing to market UMSL innovations, research outcomes, and creative works for transformative societal and economic impact
Actions/Metrics
Create interprofessional teams between nursing faculty and staff on innovating teaching, simulation, and research activities
Attain SIM Lab Accreditation
Expansion of outreach and training (in-person, departmental, online CITI training, etc.)
Goal 4: Improve career pathways for staff and support for faculty tenure and promotion
Actions/Metrics
Create a robust faculty mentoring plan and staff training program for all new hires
Review and update tenure and promotion (for TT and NTT) criteria and policies to be consistent with current UM System guidelines
Goal 5:Steward the College of Nursing’s financial, physical, and human capital to sustain and grow by linking the budget process to the strategic plan
Actions/Metrics
Review the budget with CONFAS annually
Hold an annual retreat or planning session to review strategic goals, assess resource alignment, and make evidence-informed funding decisions
Goal 6: Improve efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of service delivery and administrative processes.
Actions/Metrics
Develop a 5-year schedule for reviewing and updating administrative processes that include users
Advocate for policies that work across departments
