Maryland Nursing Workforce Symposium

The nursing workforce is often viewed through isolated challenges such as recruitment, turnover, vacancies, and educational capacity. Sustaining the profession, however, requires a broader perspective — one that recognizes nursing as a career continuum and the shared responsibility of health care organizations, academic institutions, policymakers, and leaders to support nurses from workforce entry through career advancement and leadership. 

This symposium will explore strategies that strengthen career longevity by examining how nurses are recruited, retained, developed, and advanced throughout their careers. Through plenary and breakout sessions, participants will explore emerging trends, innovative practices, and collaborative approaches that strengthen the nursing workforce across the career continuum.

At the conclusion of this symposium, participants will be able to: 

1. explore factors that influence nurse retention, career advancement, and workforce sustainability using current workforce data, evidence, and emerging trends
2. evaluate organizational, educational, and policy strategies that support career development across the nursing continuum, including pathway programs, leadership development, technology, and workforce innovation
3. identify opportunities for collaboration among health care organizations, academic institutions, and workforce partners to strengthen career longevity and build a sustainable nursing workforce.

Retention by Design: Rethinking How We Grow and Keep Nurses 

Description: Nursing faces many pressing workforce issues — from uneven distribution and faculty shortages to burnout, technology adoption, and barriers to advancement. Drawing on examples from Maryland and beyond, Goettl will spotlight innovative approaches to preparing students, supporting early-career nurses, and creating sustainable pathways for long-term success in the profession. 

Bradley Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FNP-C, FAAN 
Chief Nursing Officer, American Nurses Enterprise 

Bradley Goettl has more than 20 years of experience across clinical practice, health care administration, academia, and nonprofit leadership. He began his career in rural health care and practiced as a flight nurse and nurse practitioner before moving into executive roles. 
 
He serves as chief nursing officer for the American Nurses Enterprise, which includes the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation. In this role, he advocates for the nation’s five million nurses and provides executive oversight for nursing and credentialing programs. Goettl is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Georgetown University’s Berkley School of Nursing. 

Monique Denise Alston, PhD, MSN, RN, is originally from the Washington, D.C. area. Her dissertation was entitled “A Quasi-Experimental Study Examining the Impact of Web-Based Simulation on the Critical Thinking Skills of Associate Degree Nursing Students.” She has served as a registered nurse for over 26 years in areas related to women and children's health. She has over 20 years of nursing education experience as a clinical instructor and a professor, both in the classroom and in online instruction. Alston previously served Montgomery College in Maryland as dean of health sciences and director of nursing. She currently serves as department chair of nursing at Bowie State University, overseeing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. She is an advocate for the use of technology to enhance the educational experiences of nursing students. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware, a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from Marymount University in Virginia, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in nursing education from Capella University (PhD) in Minnesota.  

Schallery Colbert, MBA, MHA, RN, is vice president and chief nursing officer of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. She is responsible for providing leadership oversight of nursing clinicians, guidance on caregiver and provider engagement, and direction for the financial and clinical outlook of the hospital. She has led the nursing team’s focus on increasing patient experience scores by implementing a program for nurse leader rounding with a focus on med-surg patients, and she partnered with the corporate office to establish a robust pipeline for nurse externs and the residency program. Colbert previously served as director of surgical services at Adventist HealthCare. She has a comprehensive background of 28 years of nursing experience, with 12 of those years in hospital leadership. She earned her master’s degree in health care and business administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in nursing from Bowie State University in Maryland, and her Associate Degree in Nursing from Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. She has served as an advisor on the Allied Health board of Prince George’s Community College and on the board for Bowie State University as an advisor. In addition, she is a member of Lambda Phi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi, the American Nurses Association, the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders, the National Council of Negro Women, and the National Association for the Advancement of Color People.

Jennifer Dalton, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, is an assistant professor at UMSON, with more than a decade of experience in nursing education and clinical practice. Her expertise centers on simulation-based learning, competency development, ethical education, and the preparation of nursing students for successful transition to professional practice. Dalton's scholarship focuses on simulation, clinical judgment, workforce development, and academic-practice partnerships. She has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented nationally on topics including simulation-based ethical education, preceptor development, and clinical workforce initiatives. Through mentorship, curriculum leadership, and collaborative partnerships, Dalton works to advance evidence-based nursing education and prepare future nurses for the complexities of contemporary health care practice. Dalton earned her PhD in Health Professions Education from the University of Maryland, where her research examined the impact of simulation-based ethical education on prelicensure nursing students’ moral distress. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and has held leadership roles in simulation, nurse residency programs, and clinical education.

Tolvalyn Dennison, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CNE, is a nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, and workforce development leader with extensive experience in nursing education, professional development, and academic-practice partnerships. She serves as a clinical instructor at UMSON and as a clinical nurse specialist at Adventist HealthCare in Maryland. Her work focuses on strengthening nursing education, developing preceptors and emerging nurses, and advancing innovative clinical learning models such as Dedicated Education Units. She is completing her PhD in Nursing at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where her research examines cardiometabolic health among African American women.

Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC, is a board-certified public health clinical nurse specialist with 30 years of experience working in acute care and community settings with diverse populations. She is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), where she has been employed for the past 14 years teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs. DeVance-Wilson is the vice chair of UMSON at the Universities at Shady Grove and also serves as the director of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center, where she works to address issues affecting Maryland nurses, nursing students, schools of nursing, and health care organizations. She is a member of several national organizations, including the Association for Public Health Nurse Educators, the American Public Health Association, and Sigma international honor society for nurses. She has served on committees, delivered podium and poster presentations, and collaborated on publications. In addition to national committee membership, she has been elected or appointed to several UMSON committees, including as chair of the Faculty Council. DeVance-Wilson has also held leadership positions in several community organizations and is currently the immediate past chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Health. Her research interests include Black men’s health, health policy, and health disparities.

Nicole R. Evans, MSN, RN, CCRN, PCCN, is a clinical instructor at UMSON. Her nursing career includes 10 years of bedside practice on an intermediate care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center, as well as experience as an assistant nurse manager, skills lab instructor, and a clinical nurse educator, most recently at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center. She is a certified Critical Care Registered Nurse and Progressive Care Certified Nurse. Her professional interests include innovative instructional methods, interdisciplinary education, and preparing nursing students for the transition to independent practice. She is committed to developing educational experiences that foster clinical reasoning, confidence, and readiness for professional nursing practice. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing in Health Services Leadership and Management at UMSON, with a focus on education.

Urwah Faisal, BS, is a labor market information specialist at the Maryland Department of Labor. She has held this position since 2023, working on the Labor Market Information (LMI) team with economists and Maryland’s Bureau of Labor Statistics staff. In addition to her work on the LMI team, she also works in collaboration with the department’s Unemployment Insurance Division as well as the upcoming Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. Urwah earned her bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from Temple University’s Fox School of Business in Philadelphia.

Kimberly Ford, BS, is the assistant grant administrator for the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission. Previously, she served as the grant coordinator for MHEC’s Office of Student Financial Assistance on the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) scholarship grant. Prior to working at MHEC, Ford worked as a research and budget analyst at the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) and the Maryland Independent College & University Association. While working at MACC, she helped administer federal grant funds to each community college in Maryland to purchase nursing simulation equipment. Along with receiving her Bachelor of Science in Management in non-profit organizations with a concentration in political science and government from the University of Maryland, College Park, she worked on state senatorial scholarships for nurses and teachers during her college internship in the Maryland Legislature. She has worked on all of the NSP II Certified Nurse Educator workshops with the National League for Nursing since 2018.

Alicia Gainey, MSN, RN, CNE, is the grants specialist for NSP II. She is a registered nurse with 18 years of experience. In her academic career, which included serving as an assistant professor and course coordinator, she had over eight years of teaching experience across classroom, clinical, and simulation/lab settings. Her clinical background includes trauma, transplant, and hematology/oncology. Her academic credentials include an MSN focused on healthcare and leadership management, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science.

Bradley Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FNP-C, FAAN, has more than 20 years of experience across clinical practice, health care administration, academia, and nonprofit leadership. He began his career in rural health care and practiced as a flight nurse and nurse practitioner before moving into executive roles. He serves as chief nursing officer for the American Nurses Enterprise, which includes the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation. In this role, he advocates for the nation’s five million nurses and provides executive oversight for nursing and credentialing programs. Goettl is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Georgetown University’s Berkley School of Nursing.

Damion Keith Jenkins, MSN, RN, is a nationally recognized speaker, nurse educator, licensure exam prep expert, career coach, and nurse entrepreneur dedicated to helping nurses build confidence, strengthen clinical judgment, and create meaningful careers beyond traditional boundaries and unsafe trends. He is the founder and CEO of an education and consulting company he launched in 2016 that has supported thousands of nursing students and professionals through nursing licensure preparation, professional development, mentorship, and career advancement. With extensive experience in nursing education, staff development, clinical leadership, and academia, Jenkins brings a practical, energetic, and person-first approach to professional growth. His work centers on challenging unhealthy norms within health care, developing empowered nurses, guiding transformational leadership, and helping health care professionals leverage their own personal power to think differently, lead intentionally, and create lasting positive change within the profession.

Ann T. Kellogg, PhD, serves as the director of reporting services for the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center (MLDSC) and MHEC. At the MLDSC, Kellogg uses linked longitudinal data from all levels of education, child and youth services, and the state’s workforce to generate timely and accurate information that can be used by policymakers to improve the state’s education system. At MHEC, she develops unit record data collections to support state policy research and completes research studies or other special projects for the assistant secretary of academic affairs. Prior to joining the state, Kellogg focused her career on postsecondary education, holding both instructional and administrative positions. She earned a PhD in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and currently serves as adjunct faculty in UMBC's Public Policy graduate program.

Ajani Pierce, BS, is a labor market economist with a decade of experience at the Maryland Department of Labor. Specializing in the analysis of employment, wage, and production trends across Maryland and the United States, Pierce provides critical data insights that inform state economic strategies. His extensive portfolio includes high-impact research on the economic fallout and relief efforts following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workforce, equal pay and the gender wage gap, and the regional economic ripple effects of federal job losses in Maryland. Pierce earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

MJ Rosenthal, MS, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, is the founder of Next Stage Nursing and a professional development career coach who helps nurses navigate career growth, transitions, and advancement. Her professional background includes nursing professional development, transition to practice, clinical education, and neonatal critical care. Rosenthal is passionate about helping nurses recognize their strengths, build confidence, and intentionally shape the next stage of their careers. Her work focuses on creating meaningful professional development opportunities that help nurses clarify their goals, reconnect with their purpose, and pursue continued growth and career advancement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a Master of Science in Health Services Leadership and Management from UMSON.

Laura Schenk, DNP, RN, CNE, is the grant administrator for NSP II. Previously, she worked as an academic progression coordinator and an assistant professor of nursing at Harford Community College, where she gained experience as a course coordinator, NSP II project director, and interim dean. Along with earning her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Stevenson University in Maryland, Schenk graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in leadership from Salisbury University in Maryland. She is a registered nurse with a clinical background in orthopedic/medical-surgical nursing and community health. She is also a certified nurse educator with nine years of teaching experience in classroom, clinical, and simulation/lab settings.

Charlotte Seckman, PhD, RN, NI-BC, CNE, FAAN, is a professor and co-director of the Nursing Informatics master’s and certificate programs at UMSON. She has over 30 years of experience leading and shaping the integration of technology within government, private, and academic health care settings, most notably as director, senior project officer, and nurse consultant at the National Institutes of Health. Certified in nursing education and informatics, Seckman has advanced expertise in the design and implementation of electronic health records and artificial intelligence. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating personalized decision support systems, mobile health, protocol mapping, educational technologies, online learning communities, and informatics competencies. More recently, Seckman’s expertise has evolved to include the use of AI-powered technologies in health care practice, education, and research. These endeavors reflect her commitment to advancing the field of nursing informatics through interdisciplinary research and practical applications that improve care quality and learning outcomes for health care professionals.

Jamie White, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, serves as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer of Frederick Health, a 272 licensed-bed hospital and health system with a multispecialty medical group, home care, hospice, and other ambulatory services. White joined Frederick Health in 1997, and she has served the organization in many capacities, advancing through several clinical and administrative roles. She is patient centered, staff centered, and mission driven. She partners with her colleagues to drive improvements in patient experience and quality across the health system. White earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Messiah University in Pennsylvania, a master’s in nursing from Walden University, and a doctorate in nursing from Capella University. She is board certified as a Nurse Executive-Advanced.

Aimee Younkin, PhD, MSN, RN, serves as the associate dean of nursing at Allegany College of Maryland, where she applies more than 23 years of experience in nursing education. The program in Western Maryland has a strong rural focus and is dedicated to preparing nurses to meet the unique health care needs of the region. Throughout her career, Younkin has been committed to student success, academic leadership, and excellence in nursing education.