By Amy Curtis | March 2026

In this issue:  Kansas Age-Friendly Nursing Workforce Forum, Research Committee Survey, PSU starts first AAMN chapter.

This newsletter is 1,234 words long, about a 4-minute read.

Register for the 2nd Annual Kansas Age-Friendly Nursing Workforce Forum

The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center and the Kansas 4M Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program invite you to a collaborative forum between nursing educators and long-term care leaders, focused on strengthening partnerships to increase the number of nursing graduates who choose to practice in nursing homes.

Who Should Attend?

Forum Details

Forum Objectives

Register here

Kansas 4M Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $5 million with funding from 07/01/2024 through 06/30/2029. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information visit HRSA.gov.    

March Research Committee Meeting

The Research Committee did not meet in March. They will reconvene on April 30, 2026.

We need your input: The Research Committee is forming small groups based on areas of interest. Your response to this survey will help the Research Committee organize meaningful Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Take the Special Interest Group (SIG) Survey

Led by Shin Hye Park, PhD, RN, the Research Committee facilitates and promotes collaborative nurse research activities across the state. The committee's goal is to leverage research talent to better serve the healthcare community of Kansas, advance the field of nursing and healthcare, and strengthen the nursing workforce in Kansas.

Sign up here to receive the Research Committee meeting link. Please send this link to colleagues who may also wish to attend.

Pittsburg State Men Launch First Kansas Chapter of AAMN

PHOTO: The inaugural Pittsburg Men in Nursing chapter of AAMN. Photo courtesy of PSU.

Male bachelor of science in nursing students enrolled at Pittsburg State University launched the first Kansas chapter of the American Association of Male Nurses (AAMN) this month.

The mission of AAMN is to “shape practice, education, research, and leadership for men in nursing and to advance men's health.” The core values include stewardship, integrity, inclusion, empowerment, excellence, and innovation.

“These men in nursing represent the inaugural class of the first chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing in the State of Kansas,” said Amy Hite, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PSU School of Nursing Director and Professor.

According to the State of Nursing in Kansas, Volume 2, from 2015 to 2024 the percentage of male RNs in Kansas grew from 6% to 8.5%, a 2.5% shift. Kansas has about 2% fewer male RNs than the national average.

Additionally, the percentage of Kansas LPNs who identified as male increased from 6.3% in 2015 to 8.5% in 2022 before declining to 4.7% in 2024. Nationally, 2024 was the lowest proportion of male LPNs (4.7%) recorded across all years as well.

Brandon Freeman spearheaded the effort to bring the national organization to campus. With Hite’s support, Freeman worked through the Campus Activities Board to formally establish the student organization. He serves as the chapter’s inaugural president. The group includes 19 members — 13 seniors and six juniors — who meet monthly and host guest speakers who share advice, career paths, and personal experiences in the profession.

We asked Freeman his thoughts about starting the first AAMN chapter in Kansas. Here’s what he said:

KNWC: The PSU chapter of AAMN has only been live a short while. Have you already seen benefits?

Freeman: Yes, we have had more male nursing students showing interest in joining our Pittsburg State Men in Nursing chapter. In addition, PSU School of Nursing alumni have reached out to say that they would love to join, too.

KNWC: How do you hope the AAMN will help men at the PSU SON?

Freeman: I hope it shows other male nursing students the potential career routes, which can be taken in a female dominated field. Also, the AAMN demonstrates what can be done to improve men’s health and is celebrating that the American Nurses Association has recognized Men's Health as a specialty.  I hope that our organization will encourage more males to choose with confidence to become a nurse.

KNWC: The number of male nurses tends to hover between 8-12% of all RNs. How do you think organizations like AAMN help with increasing that number? Why does that matter?

Freeman: I believe that AAMN, and our Pittsburg Men in Nursing chapter, provides an opportunity to hear about the experiences of male nurses and their different points of view; and it also provides our male students with mentorship and connections. AAMN also helps with overcoming the stereotype which is put on men who are going into nursing; our chapter brings in male nurses to speak to our current nursing students and to encourage them as they have walked a similar path. A diverse workplace can improve communication and patient outcomes.

KNWC: What would you want to tell other men who may be considering nursing as a career?

Freeman: I would tell them to just go for it. Nursing is a meaningful and very rewarding profession. Once you’re out of school, the opportunities are endless, and you can choose a path that fits your strengths.

KNWC: What should other schools of nursing or other male nursing students do if they want to be a part of AAMN?

Freeman: If you want to start a chapter, then I would gather a few students who are interested and approach a faculty member or the Director/Chair of the School of Nursing. Also, reach out to AAMN to get started on your application.

Our thought bubble: We applaud the men of PSU nursing for their initiative, and we look forward to seeing how they’ll inspire others.

Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders, Here We Come!

PHOTO: HOSA student leaders at the 2026 Spring State Leadership Conference. Photo courtesy of Kansas HOSA.

Hello colleagues and friends!

In February we were at the Kansas HOSA Spring Leadership Conference, with more than 1,200 students!. We continue to learn about how these students view the nursing profession and how they learn about nursing school. This year we asked what age/grade level students became interested in health professions or nursing and where do they search for information about nursing educational opportunities. Be sure to check out their State Leadership Conference, 2026 photos for a taste of what they’re all about.

In April, we’re heading to the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders, Spring Conference. This year’s theme is “Leading with Intention: Tools, Influence, and Impact for Today’s Nurse Leaders.” I’ll be presenting “The Kansas Nursing Pathways Project: Progressing!”

We’d love to collaborate with you too. If you think your organization or group could benefit or learn from the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center, reply to this email. We’d love to join you to talk about the nursing workforce or prelicensure nursing education in Kansas

—Barbara MacArthur, MN, Director 

Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

What We’re Reading

In Case You Missed It!

Download your copy of the State of Nursing in Kansas, Volume 2. This edition tracks trending data from 2015 to 2025.

Download your copy of an advance report, The State of Nursing Education in Kansas, prepared for the Kansas Legislature. This advance report provides data about prelicensure nursing education programs in Kansas.

Have Kansas Nursing Workforce news, solutions, or kudos you’d like us to share?
Email nursingwill@kumc.edu

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