Paper
Sunday, November 4, 2007
119
Embracing the Challenge: Creating Opportunities to Increase & Support Minority Student Enrollment in Local Nursing Programs
Jean Swinney, PhD, RN, Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: describe at least three important elements of the Embracing the Challenge S.A.F.E.R. Model. |
| Learning Objective #2: identify at least three key elements or activities associated with student support and academic success. |
The lack of diversity in the nursing workforce is well documented nationwide. However, when prospective diverse nursing students are recruited from external geographical areas, there is a greater possibility that upon graduation they will return to their respective communities to work. The Embracing the Challenge (ETC) Project believes that by creating opportunities and providing support for area students, they will be more inclined to choose a career in nursing. The ETC Project has implemented the S.A.F.E.R. model that supports participants socially, academically, and financially. The three member project team also includes a bilingual (Spanish and English) Minority Student Advisor. We support, and monitor the progress as well as take personal interest in students and their families in our target area schools of nursing, middle and high schools. Students have participated in a variety of ETC activities and nursing clubs at their own schools and have maintained an interest and involvement in nursing. Some participants have applied for admission to nursing at the University and some have applied to the two community colleges collaborating with the ETC Project. In addition, ETC nursing students at the University and collaborating community college achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2006. This presentation will describe the S.A.F.E.R Model and selected activities implemented to support minority and disadvantaged students interested in nursing at the high schools and at the University and community colleges collaborating with the ETC Project to successfully enter the nursing workforce. ETC activities and evidenced based achievements will be discussed, including opportunities to encourage minority and disadvantaged students to enroll in nursing based on our experience with the ETC Project.
This project is supported by funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Embracing the Challenge Increasing Workforce Diversity in Nursing Award D16HP02624-01-00