Increasing Diversity in the Advanced Practice Nursing Workforce Through Partnerships With Historically Black Colleges : Nurse Educator

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Increasing Diversity in the Advanced Practice Nursing Workforce Through Partnerships With Historically Black Colleges

Johnson, Ragan DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; Lyons-Smith, Marquita DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC; Derouin, Anne DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, FAANP; Carter, Brigit PhD, RN; VanRiel, Yolanda PhD, RN

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Nurse Educator ():10.1097/NNE.0000000000001443, May 01, 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001443

Abstract

Background: 

Health inequities have enhanced efforts to diversify the nursing workforce. Despite recruitment strategies, the percentage of Black nurse practitioners (NPs) lags in comparison with the populous.

Problem: 

Barriers to improving workforce diversity can be traced to academic nursing's lack of diversity in faculty, under-resourced education opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and historical hurdles.

Approach: 

One systems-level approach to increasing NP workforce diversity is developing pathway programs aimed at preparing, recruiting, and supporting Black students into advanced practice nursing education. Current undergraduate RN students from 2 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) attended a 1-week summer immersion program at a graduate school of nursing at a predominately White institution.

Conclusion: 

Pathway programs for Black undergraduate RN students show promise for increasing awareness of graduate nursing, offering race and ethnicity concordant mentorship, and cultivating deep awareness for health equity.

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