Achieving Student Diversity: Lessons Learned

Background: Healthy People 2010 and the Bureau of Health Professions have established goals to increase the proportion of underrepresented populations in the nursing workforce. A Midwestern liberal arts college addressed the issue of the disproportionately lower rates of students admitted from minority racial/ethnic and disadvantaged backgrounds. Methods: The foundational concept of this project focused on the recruitment of potential students from populations such as Nursing Aides and LPNs who tend to have a higher representation of individuals from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. This presentation will focus on the strategies used to embrace the challenges of establishing a culture of collaboration for the project using a comprehensive perspective including key players within the department, the college, and the community. Student advocacy was the central focus utilized to modify college practices from the admissions department, advising center, nursing curriculum and progression committees, information technology department, and student services. Results: The establishment of relationships with these groups on campus and campus wide program awareness allowed for the development of the following to support students from diverse backgrounds:

•A faculty liaison and role model who represents a minority group

•Student to student mentor program

•Student to Professional mentor program (Speed Networking)

•Creation of a first experience course to facilitate transition to the college setting

•Education of college faculty through cultural competence workshops including sensitivity to the student perspective

•Establishment of a nursing diversity committee

Conclusion: The implementation of two career ladders for these populations resulted in a significant increase in student diversity in a four year baccalaureate program.

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

•Identify comprehensive strategies to address the barriers to achieve a diverse population

•Discuss selected methodologies to add to your toolkit on how to address the needs of students with complex personal issues

•Articulate resources essential to meet the needs of “at risk” students to facilitate success