1. BRING DIVERSITY TO NURSING
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Nursing
Karen Deveraux Melillo, Jacqueline Dowling, Lisa Abdallah, Mary Findeisen, Margaret Knight
In partnership with the Lawrence and Lowell Massachusetts School Systems
LOGO
LOGO
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
BACKGROUND
Diversity in the Health Care Work Force: A Priority
Clear link between lack of diversity in the work force and health disparities (Huston, 2008)
Diverse nurses are in great demand especially in urban areas
Successful initiatives are needed to prepare for the future.
Diversity in the Massachusetts Nursing Work Force
Nurse Graduates 2004 all programs:
3.8% Hispanic background, 0.8% obtained BSN
6.3 % Asian background, 5% obtained BSN
(MACN, 2005).
Diversity in the Merrimac Valley
Lawrence: 60% Hispanic, 7% statewide
Lowell: 16 % Asian, 4% statewide
(Massachusetts Census, 2000)
Assessment
On line Assessment of Perception of Nursing as a Career
Lawrence & Lowell Middle School and High School students 2008
Pre-entry Initiatives
Pre-school and primary school
Guest reader programs: Lawrence & Lowell schools
UML nursing students. Minden C, Armantrout LM (2006). Nurses. The Childs World: MN.
Middle school
After school workshops fall and spring*
Hands-on activities that introduce students to nursing as a career choice
Workshops are developed around a health problem
Activities include body mapping, heart health, exercise, nutrition and basic medication math
High school
After school workshops fall & spring*
Activities enhance academic ability and increase competitiveness for entry into UML nursing.
Curriculum builds in a strong science and math components
Content delivered through a body system approach
Demonstrate basic problem solving and specific skill sets
*Summer programs are also provided in conjunction with college preparatory programs offered through Umass Lowell’s School of Education and through the Center for Family, Work and Community.
Recruitment Initiatives
Junior & Senior HS Students
Assistance with resources and preparation for the Scholastic Achievement Test
BDN Minority Nurse Recruiters meet with students to discuss entry requirements
Assistance with the application process.
Retention Initiatives (4 years)
UML Nursing Program
The BDN Diversity Nurse meets with students regularly
Tutoring, in class assistance, study groups
University cultural groups and clubs
Stipends and scholarships
Technology Assistance
BDN students are mentored by diverse nurses in the community
Preparation for State Board Exam.
Evaluation
Middle & High School
Increased interest in Nursing as a career
Increased application from Lawrence & Lowell HS students to UML nursing program
Increased acceptance into the UML nursing program
Nursing Program
Progression of BDN students through the curriculum
State Board Exam success
Assessment
1298 Nursing as a career Assessments completed (464 HS, 833 MS)
665 girls, 633 boys
185 (14%) interested in nursing, 398 (30%) may consider nursing
Program Evaluations
118 students attended workshops; 40 HS & 78 MS students
92% HS & 89% MS students report learning new information on nursing
32% HS & 47% MS students reported consideration of nursing as a career
BDN Students Currently Enrolled at UML
14 BDN Students; 2 men, 12 women
1 African American, 4 African, 3 Hispanic, 6 Asian,
CHART or
PICTURE
CHART or
PICTURE
PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
Bring Diversity to Nursing (BDN) is a novel program developed by faculty at the University of Massachusetts Lowell to inform, recruit, retain and graduate minority and disadvantaged students from the UML Nursing Program. UML is located in the Merrimack Valley Lowell and Lawrence are the two largest cities in the Merrimac Valley. The UML Nursing Program has a long tradition of graduating nursing students who seek employment in the greater Lowell and Lawrence areas. These cities are the focus of BDN.
BDN aims to increase the diversity of the workforce in the via a multi- pronged approach to inform, educate, recruit, retain and graduate diverse nurses who are successful at passing the state board examination.
CONCLUSIONS
Workshops
BDN workshops increased interest in pursuing nursing as a career at both the HS & MS level
Knowledge delivery through a hands on approach is effective in providing new information about nursing as a career
Health systems approach in workshops allows MS & HS students to observe/follow the nursing process in care/treatment of a person with a health problem.
Retention
Students report decreasing work hours as a result of the BDN program
Availability of technology resources improves ability to compete academically
Diversity Nurse/BDN student communication fosters early problem identification
Future
Track applicants from Lawrence & Lowell school systems who choose UML program, other BSN programs and ADN programs
Evaluation of interest in nursing as a career for minority men
CHART or PICTURE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Huston, C. (2008). Letter from the president. Create the Future, 5(11), 1.
MACN (2005). Ensuring an educated nursing workforce for the Commonwealth. Canton, MA Author.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (2000) Census report. Retrieved 11/06/08:
BDN is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Workforce Development Grant and the Division of Nursing (DN) Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr) Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).