Chapter 2: Education Reform

INTRODUCTION

Education reform to promote health equity is discussed in this chapter. It is imperative that we understand what should be taught to advance nursing education to the point that it addresses harmful biases, eliminates discrimination in learning environments, and cultivates an inclusive environment (cultural humility). Furthermore, an emphasis on health equity must persist throughout all aspects of nursing education—from admissions to curriculum design to graduation. This approach is required for the nursing profession to truly embrace and exemplify the characteristics that align with improving health equity. Nursing education has the power to influence student nurses in unique ways that impact when, where, and how they care for others. Educating future nurses to practice through a health equity lens will undoubtedly lead to increased health equity and thus, improved health outcomes.

Consider the following questions as you read the essays about health equity and education reform:

• What are some ways in which schools of nursing can promote health equity?

• Describe/define the following terms: cognitive diversity, equity-minded, equity pedagogy, and cultural humility.

• What are the differences between the historical/traditional and holistic admission processes?

• What are some challenges to nursing school success for minoritized students?

• How does diversifying the nursing workforce through nursing education affect health equity?

THE WHO, WHAT, HOW, AND WHEN OF NURSING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY

Kupiri Ackerman-Barger, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN

Associate Dean for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

University of California Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing

The Value of Nursing Workforce Diversity—The Who

To appreciate the value of nursing workforce diversity, it is important to view diversity from several vantage points. When we think of diversity as a driver of excellence, we understand that ensuring diversity in the nursing workforce is more than “the right thing to do” but rather a necessity for providing high-quality equitable care across individuals, families, communities, social groups, and populations. Diversity brings an advantage to the power of thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Page (2017) uses logic to emphasize the intellectual capacity of teams of people who interpret, reason, and problem-solve differently from each other, a concept known as cognitive diversity. Further, diverse and inclusive teams can generate inclusive and relevant research questions and enhance innovative approaches to solving complex healthcare issues (Swartz et al., 2019). Diversity among nursing researchers can broaden what is researched, how it is researched, and how those data are interpreted.