Sharon Elizabeth Metcalfe
Western Carolina University, USA
Title: Increasing diversity of undergraduate nursing students in baccalaureate nursing programs
Biography
Biography: Sharon Elizabeth Metcalfe
Abstract
Despite the increased diversity and multicultural transformation of the population within the United States, the majority of nurses in the workforce are found to be educated from Caucasian
backgrounds. At present, there is minimal inclusion of students from underrepresented ethnic minorities, as well as students from the rural Appalachian region. This presentation describes an
innovative and creative mentoring program that was implemented at a university to increase the diversity of the student enrollment in nursing. Through the use of specially trained nurses from the community, students received specialized mentoring, guidance and encouragement for academic and social success. Additionally, students received academic scholarships and monthly stipends to help eliminate financial hardships. With the guidance of the nursing
mentors with students, there was an increase in the acceptance rate of underrepresented ethnic minorities and rural Appalachian students for the School of Nursing program. Programs such as these may prove to be beneficial in helping to integrate a diversity of nursing professionals into the nursing workforce in the United States.