According to the National Forum on State Nursing Workforce Centers, “these state initiatives are made up of people who work to increase the supply of nurses and resolve the critical nursing shortage. Activities include data collection and analysis, publication of reports and information, as well as recommendations of changes necessary to resolve the nursing shortage. While organizational structures, funding sources, and entity names vary, these state nurse workforce entities are commonly referred to as “centers.” The concept of “Taking the Long View” reflects the focus of workforce efforts being transformed from “quick fixes” to long-range strategic planning. This involves the collection of data that allows the identification of imbalances between supply and demand and allows for forecasting efforts that drive nursing workforce development and policy recommendations. The majority of states have a nurse workforce initiative.

The mission of the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center is to ensure Kansans have access to nurses when and where they need them and to support nurses both individually and as part of the health care team.

A Kansas nursing workforce center helps ensure that every Kansan has access to quality nursing care when and where they need it. It helps resolve the systemic issues that contribute to chronic nursing shortage. And it bridges gaps between schools, employers and health care stakeholders.

Without a nursing workforce center, Kansas is at a disadvantage when attracting nurses and competing for federal funds. Currently the data needed to support meaningful change are scattered so central data management and nursing-focused analysis is not possible.

During initial listening sessions, the people of Kansas made it clear that they want a one-stop-shop for all things nursing. The center fulfills that desire.

The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center connects problem solvers to the information necessary to ensure all Kansans have access to nurses when and where they need them. We support Kansas nurses to deliver the best care possible, both individually and as part of the health care team. We have a foundation of research, education and policy development.

The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center is comprised of any person or entity engaged in ensuring Kansans have access to nurses when and where they need them and supporting nurses both individually and as part of the health care team.

The center is housed located within the University of Kansas School of Nursing. We collaborate with nurses, other health care providers, associations, employers, insurers, academics/educators, researchers, policy makers, legislators and all other problem solvers.

Kansans benefit by having access to quality nurses when and where they need care and nurses are supported both individually and as part of the care team.

Additional benefits include:

• A central source of nursing workforce data with the resources to analyze data to identify gaps in support, education and distribution of the Kansas nursing workforce to facilitate focused interventions to effectively address needs. This is the number one ask from key stakeholders across Kansas.
• Better decision support for nurses, employers, schools, associations and policy makers.
• Pooling of resources to enhance collaboration in shortage areas such a nurse faculty and collaborative research.
• A hub of innovation that connects experts to address nursing workforce problems.
• Communication and collaboration across the state for stakeholders involved with nursing, nursing education and leadership.
• Reduced duplication of effort across the state.

No, the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center is not the same as the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

The Kansas State Board of Nursing is focused on the licensure of nurses in the state of Kansas. Their mission is to assure the citizens of Kansas safe and competent practice by nurses and mental health technicians.

No, the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center is not the same as the Kansas State Nurses Association.

The Kansas State Nurses Association is a professional organization representing Kansas’ registered nurses. Their program areas include legislation and governmental affairs, accreditation and provision of continuing nursing education, professional development and supporting nursing practice and research. Their mission is to protect and enhance registered professional nursing practice in all environments to assure quality, affordable and accessible health care for people in Kansas.