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INTRODUCTION

In This Chapter

  • Students Who Look Like Me

  • Diversity in Mentorship and Sponsorship for Nursing Leadership Development

  • Mentoring to Diversify

  • One Strategy to Increase Nursing Workforce Diversity

  • Academia and Practice: Partnering for Diversity

  • Mentoring Minoritized Nursing Students in an Anti-Racist Era

  • Now, More Than Ever, Diversity Matters

In this chapter, the importance of diversifying the nursing workforce and leadership in academic and clinical settings is examined, as well as the significance of mentorship. Overall, the nursing profession has consistently improved upon diversifying the workforce regarding direct patient/client care; however, that goal has been far more challenging when considering diversity in leadership. Sharing and acknowledging the perspectives and experiences of nurses and student nurses who face barriers to advancement in their careers provides insight on how to diversify nursing. Additionally, providing dependable, intentional mentorship can offer opportunities for exposure, sponsorship, and coaching to create a sustainable pipeline to achieve diversity at every career level and specialty in the nursing profession.

Consider the following questions as you read the essays about health equity and diversity and mentorship:

  • What are important systemic or institutional changes that can be implemented to increase diversity?

  • What are steps in an effective strategy to diversify the nursing profession and improve health equity?

  • What are ways for a mentor to support a mentee?

  • How can nurses work to improve diversity in academic and clinical settings?

  • In what ways can nursing programs provide meaningful support to people from minoritized and disadvantaged backgrounds?

STUDENTS WHO LOOK LIKE ME

Wallena “Lena” Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program

Professional socialization for early career nurses is critical (van Rooyen et al., 2018). However, nurses who have been historically marginalized may not experience the same inclusion and belonging needed to achieve career advancement (Iheduru-Anderson, 2020). This declarative statement was almost not delivered due to racial bias, redlining, inequities in educational opportunities, and racism embedded in nursing programs.

Over 35 years ago, after graduating high school in New Jersey as a young Black single teenage mother, I was suddenly homeless with no telephone or computer access. Economic instability and social environment are some of the social determinants that adversely impacted my educational and professional growth (Sanderson et al., 2021). Structural determinants and institutional barriers negatively impacted my transition into nursing and my professional advancement as a nurse anesthetist. We were homeless for three months, and the public library became a place of refuge while I made daily visits to the housing authority hoping for a rent-subsidized apartment. Finally, I secured a one-bedroom apartment with $273 of state cash assistance, $114 worth of food stamps, and Medicaid.

In undergraduate school, I was interested in nursing, but I could not pass the SAT ...

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