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South Piedmont AHEC Regional
Workforce in Motion Newsletter
November 2025
Recruit, Train, and Retain:
Developing the Workforce for a Healthy North Carolina

Collaborative Corner

Dear Collaborative Partners,

As we step into November, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve already built together. With just two meetings under our belt,
it’s inspiring to see the energy, commitment, and collaboration that’s emerging across our region. Your engagement is already making a difference, and I’m excited about the path we’re forging to strengthen the healthcare workforce in
the South Piedmont area.

Our October meeting was a powerful example of what we can accomplish together. We explored key data from our regional profile, discussed workforce challenges and opportunities, and began identifying shared priorities that will guide our collective action. The insights and perspectives you brought to the
table are invaluable, and they’re helping to shape a more responsive and
resilient healthcare system for our communities.

To support our ongoing work, I encourage you to review the updated South Piedmont Regional Profile, which provides the foundation for our efforts.
You can access it here. This resource is a vital tool as we continue to align
our strategies and measure our progress.

Your continued commitment to showing up each month is what will keep this momentum going. Together, we have the opportunity to drive meaningful change and build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare workforce for our region.

Thank you for your dedication and partnership. I look forward to seeing you at
our next meeting and continuing this important work together.
 
Warm regards,
Kimberly Schnitzler, RN, MSN
Project Manager, South Piedmont AHEC Regional Workforce Development

In This Issue:
  • Workforce Pulse: NC AHEC NEWS:
    • Transforming Long-Term Care Through Leadership and Culture
    • South Piedmont Area Health Workforce Snapshot – 2025 HTA Survey Insights 
  • Workforce Pulse: NC STATE NEWS:
    • Supporting Rural Healthcare Workforce: New Incentives & Resources from NC Office of Rural Health
    • NCDHHS Expands Student Loan Repayment Initiative for Rural Health Nurses
    • New Survey Highlights Critical Priorities for Nursing Workforce Sustainability
  • Workforce Pulse: SOUTH PIEDMONT REGIONAL NEWS: 
    • Spotlight on Innovation in Nursing Practice – Atrium Health Union
  • Pathway Spotlight: CAREERS IN FOCUS: 
    • Inspiring the Future of Healthcare
  • Call to Action: Sponsor the 2026 Health Careers Expo & Conference at UNC Charlotte!
  • On The Horizon:
    • South Piedmont AHEC Regional Workforce Collaborative November Meeting: November 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Save the Date:
      • 2026 Gerontology Symposium
      • 2026 NC AHEC Academic Progression Conference
      • 16th Annual Beyond the Manikin: Best Practices in Advanced Simulation Conference
Workforce Pulse: NC AHEC NEWS
Transforming Long-Term Care Through Leadership and Culture

As North Carolina continues to address healthcare workforce challenges, the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association (NCHCFA) is leading a powerful initiative to strengthen leadership and workplace culture in skilled nursing facilities. Through the Building Culture Leaders Program—funded by a federal grant and supported by the NC Health Talent Alliance—long-term care leaders across 40 facilities are receiving hands-on training, coaching, and tools to foster supportive, resident-centered environments. Early results show promising improvements in staff retention and team engagement, highlighting the program’s potential to reshape the future of long-term care in the state.

Read the full article here.
  
South Piedmont Area Health Workforce Snapshot:
2025 HTA Survey Insights

The 2025 Health Talent Alliance (HTA) regional survey reveals critical insights into the health care workforce dynamics in the South Piedmont AHEC region. While educational institutions are producing new graduates, high churn rates and persistent vacancies suggest that regional supply is not fully meeting demand, especially for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). 

Key Findings:
  • Annual workforce deficits:
    • RNs: Demand of 1,660 vs. output of 760 → 900-worker deficit
    • LPNs: Demand of 310 vs. output of 160 → 150-worker deficit
    • CNAs: Output exceeds demand, but churn rate is 123%, (this is mostly due to the high percentage of CNAs moving into RN or other degree programs instead of CNA job.
    • MAs: Supply data unavailable, but churn is 54%
  • Churn rates (turnover):
    • LPNs and CNAs show extremely high churn (102% and 123% respectively), meaning positions are vacated and refilled frequently, straining resources and continuity of care.
  • Open position rates:
    • RNs (12%), LPNs (14%), CNAs (19%), MAs (12%) – all increased from last year.
  • Retention strategies statewide include tuition support, sign-on bonuses, professional development, and structured salary increases.
  • Additional workforce needs: Primary care, behavioral health, and environmental service workers are increasingly difficult to recruit and retain.
To address these challenges, regional stakeholders are encouraged to:
  1. Expand educational program capacity.
  2. Re-engage inactive or non-practicing licensed professionals.
  3. Improve recruitment and retention strategies.
Read the full South Piedmont Regional Profile report here.
  
Workforce Pulse: NC STATE NEWS
Supporting Rural Healthcare Workforce:
New Incentives & Resources from NC Office of Rural Health

The North Carolina Office of Rural Health (ORH) has announced expanded programs aimed at strengthening the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities, especially in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and Medicaid-serving practices. These initiatives offer meaningful support for recruitment and retention of nurses and allied health professionals.

Key Opportunities Include:
  • NC Nurse Initiative (NC NI)
Provides non-taxable loan repayment for RNs and clinical nurse specialists working in outpatient or community-based settings located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or Tier 1/Tier 2 counties that accept Medicaid. Requires a two-year service commitment.
  • NC Loan Repayment Program (NC LRP)
Offers up to $60,000 in non-taxable loan repayment for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dental hygienists serving in rural or underserved sites. Notably, the requirement to apply to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) first has been removed.
  • High Needs Service Bonus (HNSB)
Provides taxable service bonuses of up to $60,000 for NPs, PAs, certified nurse midwives, and dental hygienists in high-need or rural areas. Expanded eligibility now includes more rural sites and lower HPSA thresholds.
  • Placement Services Team
ORH’s dedicated team connects nurses, NPs, and allied providers with rural opportunities across North Carolina.

These updates open new doors for both healthcare professionals seeking meaningful careers and rural employers looking to build sustainable teams. Please share this information widely—these programs can make a real difference in supporting rural healthcare.

Read the full article here.
 
NCDHHS Expands Student Loan Repayment Initiative
for Rural Health Nurses

To strengthen rural health care across North Carolina, the NCDHHS has launched the North Carolina Nurse Initiative, offering tax-free student loan repayment for eligible registered nurses and clinical nurse specialists serving in underserved areas. This expansion includes independent private practices in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read the full article here.
 
New Survey Highlights Critical Priorities for Nursing
Workforce Sustainability

A recent national survey of nearly 250 nurses and nurse leaders reveals deepening concerns about the future of the nursing profession. With more than half of bedside nurses considering leaving direct patient care, the findings point to urgent challenges in workplace culture, staffing alignment, and support for new graduates. The report outlines three key areas where healthcare leaders must focus their efforts to retain talent and ensure high-quality care: addressing toxic workplace behaviors, bridging the gap between leadership and frontline staffing perceptions, and strengthening mentorship for early-career nurses. These insights offer a roadmap for building a more resilient and supportive nursing workforce.

See the full survey report here.
 
Workforce Pulse: SOUTH PIEDMONT REGIONAL NEWS
 
Spotlight on Innovation in Nursing Practice —
Atrium Health Union

Atrium Health Union in Monroe, NC, has been nationally recognized with the 2025 ANCC Pathway Award® for its pioneering work in preparing nurses
for the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical workflows. Their award-winning program focuses on training front-line nurses to use ambient voice technology that eases documentation burdens and enhances patient care.
By combining human-centered design, change management, and virtual simulation, the initiative supports nurses in adopting AI tools with confidence
and psychological safety. This forward-thinking approach is setting a new standard for how technology can empower the healthcare workforce.

Read the full article here.
   
Pathway Spotlight: CAREERS IN FOCUS
Inspiring the Future of Healthcare

South Piedmont AHEC was thrilled to host a highly successful Health Careers Conference and Expo in partnership with UNC Charlotte that brought together over 250 high school students from 10 schools across five counties — all united by a shared passion for exploring careers in healthcare.

This event was a powerful collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, whose outstanding Health Sciences programs helped make the day truly impactful. From hands-on activities to inspiring presentations, students gained valuable insights into the many paths available in the health professions.

The energy, curiosity, and engagement from these students were nothing short of inspiring. It’s clear the future of healthcare is in great hands!

A huge thank you to our sponsors, partners, educators, volunteers, and especially the students who made this event such a success. We’re proud to
be part of shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders.

CALL TO ACTION:

Sponsor the 2026 Health Careers Expo & Conference
at UNC Charlotte!
 
Inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals by becoming a sponsor of the 2026 South Piedmont Health Careers Expo and Conference! Building on the success of our inaugural event in 2025 — which welcomed over 250 high school students from 10 schools across five counties — we’re excited to return to the UNC Charlotte campus for another impactful day of exploration, education, and engagement.

This is your opportunity to connect with hundreds of motivated students eager
to learn about careers in healthcare. Whether you're a hospital system, clinic, educational institution, or health-related organization, your presence can make
a lasting impression.

We offer three levels of sponsorship:
🥇 Gold: $1500
🥈 Silver: $1000
🥉 Bronze: $500

Can’t attend in person? You can still support the event by sponsoring breakfast, lunch, or snacks for students during their campus visit.

Reserve Your Spot Early and Make a Difference!
For sponsorship details and to sign up, please contact michelle.boyd@advocatehealth.org.

Let's work together to inspire the future of
healthcare— one student at a time! 

On the Horizon: UPCOMING EVENTS

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South Piedmont AHEC Regional Healthcare Workforce Collaborative Meeting

November 20, 2025 | 2 PM–3:30 PM

Sponsored by South Piedmont AHEC and UNC Charlotte, this FREE event will provide prospective health careers high school students with the opportunity to explore a variety of health careers pathways. The event will feature campus tours, key impact speakers and an interactive expo packed with healthcare professionals and health science programs.

Register Now
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2026 Gerontology Symposium – Save the Date

January 29, 2026 | 8 AM–1 PM

Join this dynamic gerontologic symposium designed for clinicians, educators, and healthcare leaders who are committed to transforming care for older adults. Through interactive presentations and real-world case discussions, this event dives into the essential pillars of age-friendly care—helping you sharpen your skills in eliciting patient goals, managing medications responsibly, and identifying frailty with proven screening tools.

Save the Date
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NC AHEC Academic Progression Conference – Save the Date

February 6, 2026 | 8:30 AM–1 PM

The 2026 NC AHEC Academic Progression Conference brings together nursing educators, faculty, and academic leaders to address the critical challenges shaping nursing education today. This conference will explore how we can better support student success, foster educator wellness, navigate regulatory requirements, and embrace emerging technologies – all while building a foundation of confident, healthy, and clinically competent nurses.

Register Now
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16th Annual Beyond the Manikin: Best Practices
in Advanced Simulation Conference – Save the Date

March 5, 2026 | 8 AM–2 PM

Whether you're just getting started in simulation or you're a seasoned expert, this conference offers something for everyone. You'll discover new strategies to strengthen your simulation lab capabilities, explore emerging technologies, and connect with colleagues who share your passion for transformative healthcare education.

Save the Date
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