Increasing Diversity in Nursing
With the growth of a population filled with different ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, social views, social status, generational age gaps, and culture beliefs to list a few, the need to understand and support these unique differences as it relates to providing health care cannot be ignored. To improve the health and well-being of the nation’s people seeking medical care, a call to increase the diversity of the nursing workforce must be answered. To address the issue of increasing diversity in the nursing population, actions to address an increase in the diversity of student enrollment, retention of the academic student nurse, and recruitment by healthcare organizations during the hiring process of qualified professional nurses with diverse backgrounds is necessary.
Diversity in College and University Recruitment for the Student Nurse
Although some research has identified barriers hindering the success of multicultural student enrollment, little was being done to find what facilitates the success of the multicultural nurse. According to Grainger (as cited in Flores & Combs, 2013), one issue contributing to underrepresentation of minorities in nursing is the pool of individuals accepted into nursing schools. Representing to a population that is growing in number, enrollment of nursing students with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds will increase social and cultural understanding among patients thereby narrowing the disparities in healthcare. Igbo et al., 2011 (as cited by Muronda, 2011, pg. 401) states, schools will need to develop innovative strategies engaging community resources to help students meet the challenges of academically rigorous nursing programs. Identification of students at risk or from disadvantaged backgrounds is important as most students delay college due to financial reasons. With colleges creating programs to identity students at risk, support of the multicultural student in math and sciences, socially through mentorship, and financially through scholarship would enhance chances of success towards matriculation. Retention of the Multicultural Student Nurse Through Mentorship and Representation “Increasing minority faculty representation is a crucial step in making nursing a more diverse profession. Faculty could serve as role models and strengthen their school’s ability to deliver culturally competent health care education” (Beard & Volcy, 2013). Mentoring has also become a mainstay in the retention and development of the student nurse to professional nurse. Multicultural faculty, academic advisors, fellow nursing students, and current professional nurses are key elements in creating an environment of encouragement and relationships. For the multicultural student, access to the ability to discuss challenges, successes, seek educational assistance while promoting networking opportunities influence the decision to remain in the nursing program and more towards higher levels of education and leadership. Focusing on Diversity During Hiring Process of the Professional Nurses “Hospitals exist to serve all patients. As the face of society is changing with increasing numbers of racial and ethnic minorities making up the population, there is a general belief that creating a more diverse workforce has value” (Flores & …show more content…
Nies and McEwen states (as cited by Cherry & Jacob, 2014), members of some cultural groups are demanding culturally competent health care that incorporates their beliefs and practices. The world is changing and need for ‘culturally competent care’ is becoming a nationally recognized requirement effecting all aspects of healthcare from initial visits to a hospital, overall patient satisfaction scores, and ultimately health and healing. As this change occurs, so must the makeup of those called healthcare
With the growth of a population filled with different ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, social views, social status, generational age gaps, and culture beliefs to list a few, the need to understand and support these unique differences as it relates to providing health care cannot be ignored. To improve the health and well-being of the nation’s people seeking medical care, a call to increase the diversity of the nursing workforce must be answered. To address the issue of increasing diversity in the nursing population, actions to address an increase in the diversity of student enrollment, retention of the academic student nurse, and recruitment by healthcare organizations during the hiring process of qualified professional nurses with diverse backgrounds is necessary.
Diversity in College and University Recruitment for the Student Nurse
Although some research has identified barriers hindering the success of multicultural student enrollment, little was being done to find what facilitates the success of the multicultural nurse. According to Grainger (as cited in Flores & Combs, 2013), one issue contributing to underrepresentation of minorities in nursing is the pool of individuals accepted into nursing schools. Representing to a population that is growing in number, enrollment of nursing students with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds will increase social and cultural understanding among patients thereby narrowing the disparities in healthcare. Igbo et al., 2011 (as cited by Muronda, 2011, pg. 401) states, schools will need to develop innovative strategies engaging community resources to help students meet the challenges of academically rigorous nursing programs. Identification of students at risk or from disadvantaged backgrounds is important as most students delay college due to financial reasons. With colleges creating programs to identity students at risk, support of the multicultural student in math and sciences, socially through mentorship, and financially through scholarship would enhance chances of success towards matriculation. Retention of the Multicultural Student Nurse Through Mentorship and Representation “Increasing minority faculty representation is a crucial step in making nursing a more diverse profession. Faculty could serve as role models and strengthen their school’s ability to deliver culturally competent health care education” (Beard & Volcy, 2013). Mentoring has also become a mainstay in the retention and development of the student nurse to professional nurse. Multicultural faculty, academic advisors, fellow nursing students, and current professional nurses are key elements in creating an environment of encouragement and relationships. For the multicultural student, access to the ability to discuss challenges, successes, seek educational assistance while promoting networking opportunities influence the decision to remain in the nursing program and more towards higher levels of education and leadership. Focusing on Diversity During Hiring Process of the Professional Nurses “Hospitals exist to serve all patients. As the face of society is changing with increasing numbers of racial and ethnic minorities making up the population, there is a general belief that creating a more diverse workforce has value” (Flores & …show more content…
Nies and McEwen states (as cited by Cherry & Jacob, 2014), members of some cultural groups are demanding culturally competent health care that incorporates their beliefs and practices. The world is changing and need for ‘culturally competent care’ is becoming a nationally recognized requirement effecting all aspects of healthcare from initial visits to a hospital, overall patient satisfaction scores, and ultimately health and healing. As this change occurs, so must the makeup of those called healthcare