AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS IN NURSING EDUCATION

Abstract

The undiversified student composition in nursing programs and the nursing workforce impacts cultural humility and relevancy in delivery of care of underrepresented populations, and contributes to healthcare disparities among these minority groups. Colleges of nursing have begun organizational process improvement projects to improve the college climate surrounding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and also increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented nursing students. It is important to involve all constituents within colleges of nursing, including students, as nursing-education programs strive to improve EDI. Additionally, the intentional inclusion of nursing students in organizational process improvement projects provides invaluable leadership experiences, cultivates a sense of belonging, and strengthens professional identity. The purpose of this thesis is to develop and implement a service learning project, which is the Student Nursing Advisory Committee. This is in partnership with the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, with the goal of improving the college climate surrounding equity, diversity, and inclusion. This thesis will discuss background, significance to nursing, and purpose in the first chapter, search method and review of literature in the second chapter, implementation in the third chapter, and outcome evaluation in the fourth chapter. Overall, this thesis will address the creation of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Student Nursing Advisory Committee (EDI-SNAC) through a service learning project using the Plan, Study, Do, Act (PDSA) Cycle in efforts to create a more inclusive college climate for underrepresented nursing students.