A SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL MODEL APPROACH FOR STUDENT SUCCESS IN A GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM Kimberly Hayman BSN, RN, PhD Candidate; Larronda Rainey MNSc, RN; Keneshia Bryant-Moore, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC; Alexa Bessette, MBA University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing Growing Our Own in the Delta (GOOD) Scholars Program is Impacting Diversity in Arkansas’ Nursing Workforce Projects that Impact State Laws and Regulations Introduction Arkansas has an urgent need to increase the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to care for its underserved populations. Though there has been an increase in the number of underrepresented groups in nursing pursuing advanced degrees, Arkansas’ colleges and universities strive to retain these students through graduation. Growing Our Own in the Delta (GOOD) Scholars Program uses the socio-ecological model (SEM) to decrease attrition and increase the graduation rates of underrepresented nursing students. This theory-based framework addresses factors that impact diversity and the challenges associated with sociocultural and environmental influences in meeting educational needs. Public Policy Generation Next: Future Nurses Service Learning Projects Community-Campus Partnership Conference Community Organizational ) ) Collaborations between: College of Nursing College of Public Health Center for Diversity Affairs Interpersonal Individual Aims Leadership Development Professional Development Tutoring Increase the number of Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) graduates from under-represented backgrounds in nursing. Increase access to quality care for Arkansas’ underserved populations by increasing the number and diversity of advanced practice nurses. Enhance the educational pipeline from bachelors to masters and provide exposure to doctoral education. Increase efforts by nurses to eliminate health disparities by addressing the social determinants of health through community collaborations. Recruitment & Retention Plan including Scholarships/Stipends & Monitoring Academic Progression Methods GOOD program objectives align with the five levels of the socioecological model. Partner with various departments and colleges across UAMS 2. Provide financial support to underrepresented nursing students 3. Implement academic support strategies that promote student retention 4. Provide cultural competency and sensitivity trainings 5. Support and sustain service learning university community-based partnerships Discussion Multiple factors/interactions influence academic performance and success. Program interventions are multidimensional Fostering relationships and community are essential Contact Disclosure Growing Our Own in the Delta (GOOD) Scholars Program University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing http://nursing.uams.edu/ The GOOD Scholars Program is supported by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Nursing Workforce Diversity grant (Grant # 211G250186-01).