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.