Workforce diversity and health equity for all

This initiative addresses the goal of achieving health equity for underrepresented populations by addressing the link associated with health disparities and workforce diversity by recruiting, mentoring, supporting and graduating a more diverse workforce. In addition, when diverse nursing students are recruited from external geographical areas, there is a greater possibility upon graduation they will return to their respective communities to work.

The Achieving Diversity Initiative believes that by creating opportunities and providing support for area students, they will be more inclined to choose a career in nursing and remain in their home community. The work of the ADI is based upon reflective practice and the SAFER Model (Swinney & Dobal, 2004) that supports participants socially, academically, financially and economically to promote retention, graduation and entry into the workforce among minority and disadvantaged students.

We nurture, support, and monitor progress of participating students. We take personal interest in students and their families in participating schools of nursing, middle and high schools. Students presently in nursing school participate and mentor students in high school. Community college and University students work together and are actively engaged in mentoring. They also serve as excellent exemplars to the students and future nurses of tomorrow We will share results and discuss opportunities to enroll and gain admittance into a nursing program based on our experience with reflective practice and the Achieving Diversity Initiative.