Can You Keep Them? Strategies to Attract and Retain Nursing Students From Diverse Populations: Best Practices in Nursing Education

Abstract

There have been a number of articles addressing diversity in nursing programs and the nursing workforce. However, few of the programs have reviewed the best practices to attract and retain nursing students. This article delineates a number of programs and then makes suggestions for the best practices for nursing schools.

A Correlational Study of a Reading Comprehension Program and Attrition Rates of ESL Nursing Students in Texas

“…Patient outcomes and compliance rates are better when communication is in the patient's own language (Gilchrist & Rector, 2007). Ethnically diverse nurses can bridge these language barriers (Buerhaus et al, 2009;Olson, 2012).…”

“…A nursing workforce which reflects more closely the diversity of the US population results in better patient outcomes (Brown, 2008;Gilchrist & Rector, 2007).…”

“…This crisis is multifaceted and affects all areas of the industry. Most importantly, patient safety and quality of care are negatively affected (Gilchrist & Rector, 2007). It behooves all patient care stakeholders to work diligently to resolve this crisis and reduce the RN shortage.…”

The Culture Care Meaning of Comfort for Ethnically Diverse Nursing Students in the Educational Setting

“…Additionally, nursing students express the lack of faculty understanding of their cultures and lack of support for their cultural needs as barriers to academic achievement (Alicea-Planas, 2009;Amaro et al, 2006;Soroff et al, 2002;Starr, 2009;Taxis, 2002;). Thus far, select recommendations to overcome these barriers include support for nursing faculty development in the area of culturally competent teaching (Amaro et al, 2006;Eschallier & Fullerton, 2009;Taxis, 2002;Yoder, 2001) and commitment to a culturally supportive and caring educational environment within the nursing curriculum (Amaro et al, 2006;Evans, 2004;Gilchrist & Rector, 2007;Rosenberg & O'Rourke, 2011).…”

“…In addition to the experience of universal stressors associated with nursing school, culturally diverse nursing students experience unique stressors and challenges in the nursing education environment (Amaro, Abriam-Yago, & Yoder, 2006;Evans, 2004;Gilchrist & Rector, 2007: Soroff, Rich, Rubin, Strickland & Plotnik, 2002Taxis, 2002;Veal, Bull, & Miller, 2012). The possibility exists that the experience of comfort, or being comfortable or comforted, could decrease perceptions of stress and may also assist culturally diverse students in managing stress.…”