Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) leaders and nursing advocates joined North Carolina legislators at FTCC’s campus for a policy discussion centered on nursing workforce development, healthcare access, patient privacy and the growing role of technology in care delivery. The conversation reinforced FTCC’s commitment to preparing highly skilled nurses and strengthening the healthcare workforce across Cumberland County and the broader region. 

Keynote speakers for the event were North Carolina Senator Tom McInnis and North Carolina House Representative Garland Pierce, who engaged directly with attendees on the policy issues shaping healthcare in North Carolina. Throughout the discussion, both legislators emphasized the importance of hearing from nurses, educators and community advocates as they consider legislative solutions affecting patients, providers and healthcare systems statewide. 

FTCC’s presence in the discussion underscored the college’s role as a workforce development leader and as a key partner in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Participants discussed the importance of helping future nursing students understand prerequisites earlier, reducing barriers to entry and ensuring that qualified students can move efficiently into nursing education pathways. 

The meeting also highlighted several issues with direct impact on students, faculty, healthcare providers, and the communities they serve, including: 

• Expanding the nursing pipeline to address current and future workforce shortages 
• Improving preventive care and access to primary care, particularly in rural communities 
• Reducing overreliance on emergency departments for nonemergency health concerns 
• Ensuring nurses have a voice in policy conversations related to artificial intelligence and emerging healthcare technology 
• Addressing patient confidentiality concerns in crowded care settings where HIPAA protections may be more difficult to maintain 

During the discussion, speakers described artificial intelligence as an emerging tool that may improve diagnostics and reduce administrative burdens, while also raising important questions about regulation, documentation, privacy and training. Attendees stressed that nurses should be included early in those conversations, so policy decisions reflect the realities of frontline care and patient interaction. 

The discussion further examined the pressures facing healthcare systems in rural and underserved areas, where prevention, cost control and timely access to care remain pressing concerns. Participants also spoke about the need for healthcare models that improve efficiency, streamline patient flow and make better use of limited resources while preserving quality of care. 

"Events like this are important because they bring educators, advocates and policymakers to the same table,” said Alix John, manager of political engagement for the North Carolina Nurses Association, in a press release. “These discussions clearly articulate repeated calls for stronger collaboration between nurses and legislators on issues affecting healthcare delivery and workforce readiness.” 

For FTCC, the event reflected the college’s broader mission of connecting education, community need and workforce opportunity.

"We were happy to host Senator McInnis, Representative Pierce and nurses from the community at FTCC. It was an open and engaging conversation that highlighted our legislators' commitment to healthy communities. They want to hear from the nursing workforce and welcome their recommendations for continuous improvement," said Murtis Worth, senior vice president for academic and student services at FTCC, in a press release.